I've learned how not to tighten bolts. I've learned how not to fix a stripped bolt hole.

The last week was just one delay in that learning process.
Here's a recap:

Evidence that there was indeed a front cover leak and that I was not doing this for ****s and giggles.

Not a bad look inside that front cover.

Still okay but still replaced.

Just a dirty gal uncovered. (6 and 12 o clock?)

This gash in the back of the oil sump is not sexy but should be fine, right?
More photos coming shortly....

 

I would file the top of that smooth, and use a small amount of rtv silicone on both sides of the gasket(even if the damage wasn't there).

 

You should also always use a torque wrench, especially on engine parts.

 

This tiny big gash in my water pump section of the front cover worries me. But that's like a 500 dollar part so it's good enough for me.

I stripped the bolt hole for the cover on the oil pump and did not settle on this cheap, dumb solution. Not a total idiot!

Part of the reason I've taken so long is because I just gotta make everything clean clean. Following Alex M's thread on this job was mildly infuriating because he only cleans the gasket surfaces. Did I go overboard? Yes, yes I did. I don't care though, it was cathartic.

And then I found this part on the ground while cleaning before my mobile mechanic came over to fix that stripped bolt hole. So what is this thing? He was stumped too.

He did this and sure there is a little gash down there but the bolt holds and it's all flush boys!


I then started putting it together and then the front cover back onto the engine. My mechanic did verify I installed the new chain correctly, did the whole 4 turn thing and it lined up each time. Not gonna lie, it feels like I got an extra bolt for the front cover now and that weird metal piece so I stopped working late last night to post these things and here from everyone about what that piece is and perhaps why I have 1 extra bolt for the front cover that appears a little long.

 

Will do, got the same advice from the mechanic!

Right, what about the oil pump bolts? I looked them up and found nothing and stupidly went ahead with torquing them down with what I thought was a safe tolerance and well I will only torque down anything with a spec now.

 

Anyone with any idea what this is will be rewarded handsomely.

 

You Need to download the Rave manual from here and look up All the torque values.
If something comes loose...it comes apart.
Not a gamble you should take.
The oil pump cover bolts are supposed to have a drop of thread locker on them too.

 

I don't recall the pump cover torque, but I think it's 2-3' lbs...so I would look it up to be sure.
It's not on this list, but here is alot of the engine torque values

 

These are posts from this site, so props to whoever originally posted them.

 

The "gashes" you mention will also be filled in by the gasket and rtv.