FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Looking for a timing cover

**Posted by MS** 7/27/2024 3:27 PM

Anybody have a clue if this even exists? Need a timing cover for a 1990 5.0 V8 with a reverse rotation water pump, a mechanical fuel pump and a dipstick hole (or includes boss to drill for one). (NOT Explorer style reverse rotation pump).

I have not been able to find one in this configuration. Currently is running a 70 style cover with the reverse rotation water pump, but engine is having unexplained overheating issues at low speed. I "read on the internet" where a guy said he had same issue, and then swapped out the timing cover for one that was designed for a reverse rotation pump, changing only the timing cover, and the overheating issues went away.

Who on FYIFORD is running a reverse rotation water pump? And what timing cover are you using if you have a mechanical fuel pump?

**Posted by GPatrick** 7/27/2024 3:57 PM

I'm pretty sure this is the cover I'm running - reverse rotation with a pump cutout. With the potential for windage induced leakage at the dipstick hole I installed a dipstick in the pan and blocked the hole on the cover. https://lmr.com/item/LRS-6019D/79-85-Mustang-50l-58l-302-Carbureted-Timing-Cover?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp&sc_intid=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZK1BhDuARIsAAy2VzuIDTh06m9flbfLQ1-czgjrjwdC3-ycHqjvhzJSwQGRcTdMxoZQ41EaApy0EALw_wcB

I think a 1985 5.0 (carb'd) timing cover will fit the bill if you have one sitting around.

With a 24" radiator and a 91 Mustang fan setup it has never moved above 182 degrees. I have a March pulley setup and the March basic system does run the pump at a higher speed (overdrive) but I don't think that really affects my cooling.

**Posted by Greg B** 7/27/2024 5:04 PM

The only answer I got for you is get a specific water pump. One for a 1987 Mustang GT has round holes in it and doesn't care what timing cover it's on.

I do not think there is such an animal you are looking for, unless one of the specialty companies conjured one and I don't know about it.

There are also some threads that talk about a light port type matching that helps, but I didn't read them. Just noting they are out there. I found them on Google search.

**Posted by MS** 7/27/2024 6:03 PM

Thanks for the link, Gary. The picture shows that one conpared to what is already on the car. I see zero difference. What do you guys think?

free image hosting website

**Posted by GPatrick** 7/27/2024 6:08 PM

Not sure I would trust photos posted in ads.

**Posted by MS** 7/27/2024 6:12 PM

GPatrick wrote:
Not sure I would trust photos posted in ads.

I thought of that, too, Gary. I might give them a call Monday. Typically the reverse rotation pumps have ports angled the other way.

**Posted by RTM** 7/27/2024 6:31 PM

I just read this about the ford performance timing cover, says it’s universal with mechanical fuel pump.

images upload

**Posted by Nos681** 7/27/2024 9:04 PM

This is the stock ‘92 timing cover and a stock replacement water pump for a ‘92 Mustang.

As I recall, reverse rotation water pumps (CCW) have a round hole on the backing plate and the hub has a different bolt pattern for smooth pulley.

Hope this helps.

E5AE

Last edited by Nos681 (7/27/2024 9:23 PM)

**Posted by Nos681** 7/27/2024 9:18 PM

1966-1984 Ford 302 Timing Cover, Part # OEM E3AE-6059 OEM # E3AE 6059-AB (according to sales listing).

F6TE

E3AE?

Last edited by Nos681 (7/28/2024 7:00 PM)

**Posted by John Ha** 7/28/2024 10:07 AM

I noticed a subtle difference in the top photo - I would assume that the water pump holes would have to be in the same orientation as those in the cover to allow proper coolant flow and to avoid leaks - unless, maybe, the pump has round holes.

Last edited by John Ha (7/28/2024 10:09 AM)

**Posted by John Ha** 7/28/2024 10:24 AM

I knew I'd seen something showing the different timing cover configurations but couldn't lay my hands on it when I wrote the above post. But, I found something like I remember (source is CVF Racing).

Last edited by John Ha (7/28/2024 10:40 AM)

**Posted by Nos681** 7/28/2024 10:34 AM

The 92 Mustang 5.0L and the 97 F250 5.8L are both EFI and reverse rotation water pumps.

Still using the 92 cover that was on the car from factory.

I believe the primary difference will be the water pump and the vane direction.

**Posted by RTM** 7/28/2024 10:54 AM

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen covers that had the fuel pump mounting but did not use it. I could have sworn I had seen block off plates and others that were never machined for the fuel pump but could be machined. What I’m really uncertain is if any were reverse rotation or not.

When I did a little searching I discovered this is more common than I ever thought it was. Which leads me to think if they hadn’t found a solution then is there any solution at all?

**Posted by Raymond_B** 7/28/2024 12:20 PM

RTM wrote:
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen covers that had the fuel pump mounting but did not use it. I could have sworn I had seen block off plates and others that were never machined for the fuel pump but could be machined. What I’m really uncertain is if any were reverse rotation or not.

When I did a little searching I discovered this is more common than I ever thought it was. Which leads me to think if they hadn’t found a solution then is there any solution at all?

Yeah I feel the same thing, I was thinking the first Fox Mustangs in 79 or so that had carbs, but serpentine belts.

Found it! https://lmr.com/item/LRS-6019D/79-85-Mustang-50l-58l-302-Carbureted-Timing-Cover No dipstick hole though

**Posted by Nos681** 7/28/2024 6:34 PM

By process of elimination, only top left has oil dipstick hole and mechanical fuel pump.
Top right can be drilled out.

Bottom left has the funky sensor mount in the dipstick location.

Also notice the orientation of the cover holes.

I have not seen these numbers in picture on any timing cover I have looked at…FYI.

I drilled a hole on my EFI cover (E5AE-6059-FA) for the dipstick for front sump application while still running factory EFI.

Last edited by Nos681 (7/28/2024 6:39 PM)

**Posted by MS** 7/28/2024 9:31 PM

I have a pile of gaskets. I need to get them out and match them to the timing cover to see if there are any differences

**Posted by John Ha** 7/29/2024 5:14 AM

I can confuse the issue still further (it's a gift) ... I found the original thing I was looking for. For some reason it wouldn't open the entire thing but I did get some of it, which is pasted in below. I'm not sure where I got this from but I've had it a long time.

**Posted by Nos681** 7/29/2024 8:27 PM

I have not seen that timing cover comparison John.
Thanks.

I did run across this from CVF…

https://support.cvfracing.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058972694-Small-Block-Ford-Tutorial

**Posted by MS** 7/29/2024 8:44 PM

I spoke with 5.0 resto today about the cover they offer for carbed reverse rotation pump. They said the pic posted was correct. In that case, their cover is identical to he standard rotation cover like a 70 Mustang came with. So, the same port configuration was used for standard and reverse rotation pumps, at least as far as foxbody type pumps go.
So, I doubt the cover on Jose’s car is the problem.
He ordered a Tuff Stuff high volume water pump, a new 180 tstat, a 24” aluminum radiator and a 70 24” shroud. He has a 17” reverse rotation six blade flex fan.

Hopefully the shotgun approach will cure his run-hot issue.

**Posted by MS** 7/29/2024 8:55 PM

Regarding that info from CVF, I have a couple of foxbody electric fuel pump style reverse rotation covers. Both have exactly the same port configuration as all of the standard rotation older covers I have, and have ever seen. So, like their crank and water pump pulleys that rub on each other on my 331, I think they are providing flawed information. There is no difference in the port configuration of foxbody efi covers and 66-73 Mustang covers.

That chart showing all the different timing covers has been around a long time, and I think it created a lot of confusion that still abounds.

My research on actual parts with known pedigree is good enough for me to eliminate any need to get a different timing cover. I firmly believe one does not exist for carb with any different ports than what they always came with. I am open to anyone who can show me otherwise.

**Posted by RTM** 7/30/2024 3:58 AM

The only thing I kept coming up with is that the plate has to be used on the back of the water pump.

**Posted by Nos681** 7/30/2024 5:15 AM

I would take a closer look at the water pump water passageways and impeller.

As viewed with backing plate removed, the passageways appear to indicate what direction the rotation should be.

The 351w EFI timing cover is different than my 92 foxbody and 65 289 covers.
It has reverse rotation and the half oval shaped backing plate to make it more confusing.

Hope this helps.

1965 water pump (standard rotation- v-belt- used on 289)

1987 Mustang (EFI reverse rotation-smooth pulley-round hole backing plate)

1997 F250 351w (EFI reverse rotation-smooth pulley-half oval backing plate)

Last edited by Nos681 (6/16/2025 2:22 PM)

**Posted by Steve69** 7/30/2024 7:32 AM

Im pretty sure there the same. I looked at the 1979 to 1985 timing cover on Rock Auto. From what I remember it was the same part # as a 1970 302 Mustang timing cover. The water pump is the same configuration. The flow still goes the same direction but allows the rotation of the pulley to go different direction because of impellor design. I have a new one listed on Ebay. If your interested Ill give you a better deal.

Engine Timing Cover Dorman 635-107 289 302 351W 5.0 5.8 New | eBay

Thanks
Steve69

Last edited by Steve69 (7/30/2024 7:39 AM)

**Posted by Nos681** 6/16/2025 2:24 PM

Bring to top for CVF problems

**Posted by MS** 6/16/2025 9:16 PM

My research results still stand. No difference in cover as far ss water pump passages.
To add to this, water pump #4 is dripping after 20 miles of use and two sessions running up to temperature in the driveway.