This cover has 107k miles on it. No dash lights, has worked fine

The tolerances check out, however I've managed to ding up the oil pump housing pretty good while wrangling the relief valve out. The gouge is maybe 5-10 thou deep ( you can see it in the photo running parallel to the pressure relief hole.

I have a new oil pump gear ready, but the width on the inner rotor is a thousandth less than the 107k used gear... Hmm that's weird (bought from AB)

Rather than mess with trying to find new relief valve o-rings, and given the above information... I'm considering just buying a new cover from Turner for $300.

Thoughts?

 

You need a new cover and $300 sounds like a bargain compared to most I have seen for retail. You can't reuse the original cover with those gouges

 

I would run a small flat file along the surface to smooth any raised area and reuse the cover. Doesn't seem to be a big enough gouge to make any difference at all. The o-rings you need are Danco #30 (7/8" OD x 3/4" ID x 1/16") available from Home Depot or Lowes.

 

Turner is the seller: 4.0V8 Front Cover & Oil Pump - Land Rover Engine Parts

Their prices are good (limited selection of engine parts only) and they also do quality control on everything they sell.

I'm leaning towards a new cover, but I will think it over and try filing first. $300 isn't really worth the risk to me in having a potential low oil pressure or pump blowup problem.

In other news, the rebuild has begun. Crank is torqued down. 54 foot pounds was a lot easier than I thought it would be - what is 54 lbs supposed to feel like? The bolts only moved maybe 60 degrees from 10 pounds to 54.

 

I might smooth that out, but I might ignore it completely. That's pretty minor IMO.

With regard to 54 ft-lbs - that's not much; it should feel like you didn't crank it down. If it's the correct torque value (I'm sure it is, I just haven't checked the RAVE), you did it right. You could easily exceed 54 ft-lbs with regular hand tools.

 

Thanks.

Anyone else want to weigh in?
1 for replacing
1 for keeping
1 undecided (me)

 

I will.

You probably know the prominent groove is machined and normal. The other light scouring as other suggested is not likely to cause OP issues. I've seen others ask your question here with images that may warrant cover replacement.

I'm not a LR specialist as most have responded are not and don't claim to be. Also not one to spend mine or a customers $s when not necessary. If a new cover/pump assembly gives you a greater piece of mind and you have the liquid funds available, replace it.
......

 

Me, I'd lightly file the scratch and reuse.

Disclaimer, not a LR specialist...but have been a mechanic for 38 years and have rebuilt plenty of engines, gas and diesel.

Brian.