Rep Power: 0

This is a bit of a puzzler.... I was replacing the timing belt on my '89 Civic, and when I tried to rotate the crank pulley I could hear a rubbing sound. I removed the pulley and discovered the top of the crankshaft was rubbing against the lower timing belt cover. The hole in the cover seems to be about 1/4" lower than it should be to line up with the crank. So I examined further. There are four boltholes in the lower cover, one (approximately) in each corner. Three of the four holes line up perfectly with the corresponding holes in the engine block, but the one in the lower left corner does not, making the bolt difficult to install.
At this point I can only assume that the cover must be warped - either that or there's a 1/4" crack in the engine block which I'm quite sure there is not. This engine had oil leakage issues for years, soaking the timing belt and timing cover (the belt finally snapped last fall). I replaced the cam and crank seals and valve cover gasket so hopefully that will stop the leakage.
I had also cleaned the cover with mineral spirits, but the contact time was so short that I can't see this causing such warpage.
I'm just wondering if the solution is as straightforward as it looks - replace the cover or attempt to modify it to fit. But I thought I'd check and make sure I wasn't overlooking something more serious first, as I don't have a lot of experience with timing belts.
Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 518

I'd say first choice is to replace the plastic cover, if it is available.


Careful heating and bending i might be an option.