Front timing cover alignment.

[NNRSPLT]

Had some time today to work on assembling my '97 4.0 OHV. First I installed the oil pan and then immediately installed the front timing cover (which has a new Ford crank seal). After that I put the crank pulley in place just to take a look at things and noticed the seal in tighter on one side of the pulley snout than the other. Was there an alignment tool I should have used for the pan & cover? I cant imagine that is ok for it to be off center but maybe it is to some degree with these engines?

Thank you
Brian

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I haven't done a timing cover. I would try to loosen the bolts and see if it will shift.

 

[NNRSPLT]

I suppose I could try but it really seems like it needs to move in a 2 o'clock direction and there was some RTV used. I didn't give this much thought was I was installing the pan then cover, I assumed everything would all self locate.