Keeping a Pontiac engine cool is vital to it lasting. We get a lot of questions regarding timing covers and water pumps. We have taken the time to show each timing cover and address the ways to identify them. There may be different versions of each with slightly different variations of the timing tabs but the basic tabs and the clearance for the balancers are consistent from year to year.
1964-1965 Pontiac Timing Cover- 8-Bolt Pointer Style
One major difference on these besides the pointer is that some had a divider plate already cast into the cover. These divider plates are sold in sets and the bottom plate will not be used in this case.
Balancer- 6 Bolt 2pc
Water Pumps- Flowkooler High Volume Cast Iron with Billet Aluminum Impeller
1966-67 Pontiac Timing Cover- 8-Bolt Tab Style
The main difference in this model is the timing pointer is now a 12 degree timing tab.
Balancer- 6 Bolt 2pc
Water Pumps- Flowkooler High Volume Cast Iron with Billet Aluminum Impeller
1968 Pontiac Timing Cover- 8-Bolt Tab Style- Balancer Clearance Update
The main difference is the tab is now spaced out for the larger balancer.
Timing Cover- Butler 8-Bolt Replacement Timing Cover
Balancer- Powerbond/Dayco Pontiac Balancers or Romac Pontiac Balancers
Water Pumps- Flowkooler High Volume Cast Iron with Billet Aluminum Impeller
1969 and up Pontiac Timing Cover- 11-Bolt Tab Style
There are significant improvements on the 11 bolt timing cover model and not simply the addition of 3 fasteners. The sleeves are now a seperate piece that are inserted into the holes and sealed against the plate. The plate is now located on the outside of the cover where it seals off the water in the timing cover. The 8 bolt plate sat inside the cover and had no sealing around the edges nor did it seal against the water pump holes. This allowed water to go in other directions and made the flow inefficient. With the 11 bolt design, the water is trapped in the correct channels and is directed with much more efficiency into the engine.
Timing Cover- Butler 11-Bolt Replacement Timing Cover
Balancer- Powerbond/Dayco Pontiac Balancers or Romac Pontiac Balancers
Water Pumps- Flowkooler High Volume Aluminum with Billet Aluminum Impeller (Butler Recommended)
Flowkooler High Volume Cast Iron with Billet Aluminum Impeller
Pontiac Water Pump Divider Plates 1964-68
The 64-68 models had a 2pc water pump design. Note that the 64-65 model could have the bottom plate already cast into the cover. The 2pc plates were made in 2 versions. The 64-65 had a notch and later models the notch was removed. This notch could have been to keep water from getting trapped behind the plate but in all of our testing it seemed that the single hole directed more water into the engine and may have been the reason it was removed in the later models. Early 8 bolt designs are notorious for cooling issues. The 2pc plate we sell without the notch works in all 1964-68 models regardless of timing cover.
These 2pc water pump plates take a single water pump gasket.
Pontiac Water Pump Divider Plate 1969 and up
In 1969 the 11 bolt timing cover and water pumps were introduced with much more efficient cooling. The design was changed to a single water pump divider plate and the addition of water sleeves to seal and direct the water flow more efficiently.
These 1 pc water pump plates take 2 water pump gaskets. One to seal the plate to the timing cover and another to seal the water pump to the divider plate.
1969 and up 11 bolt water pump divider plate- Zinc
1969 and up 11 bolt water pump divider plate- Stainless
1969 and up timing cover to water pump sleeves
1969 to 1969 1/2 Water Pumps
***1969 1/2 models came with a 4" Water Pump. Flowkooler pumps are 4 1/2". To use a Flowkooler 4 1/2" pump you will need a conversion kit which includes the pulley needed.***
Butler 4" Cast Water Pump, 11 Bolt
Butler 4" to 4 1/2" Flowkooler Conversion Kit
Need help measuring to see what pump you have? Click here to read our article on water pumps.
Timing Cover Alignment Sleeves
These small sleeves help align the timimng cover into the block. Though not completely necessary, they will make the installation and alignment of the timing cover fast and easy.
Butler Pontiac Timing Cover Alignment Sleeves
Timing Cover and Water Pump Gaskets
We can provide you all the gaskets needed for timing cover and water pump installations. To make it easy we have put together a gasket kit that will fit any timing cover and water pump. It inlcudes 8 and 11 bolt water pump gaskets as well as the other gaskets and seals needed.
Butler Performance Pontiac Timing Cover Gasket Kit
Butler Individual Timing Cover, Water Pump Gaskets, and Seals
Conversion Kits
The cooling was much more improved on the 1969 and up 11 Bolt Timing Covers. If you are not going for a numbers matching car, we offer kits which include everything you need to convert from 8 bolt to 11 bolt. When moving from an 8 bolt to 11 bolt timing cover with our kits, the water pump will be changed from a 4" to a 4 1/2" shaft. This will cause some of your belts to no longer align properly. Our kits that include the needed pully to complete the conversion with the new high flow pump.
8 bolt to 11 bolt conversion kit with pulley
8 bolt to 11 bolt conversion kit with pulley and balancer
Replacement Kits
Need to replace the old, worn existing parts? We can help. We have full replacement kits for 8 and 11 bolt applications. These are stock replacement covers.
Replacement 8 Bolt timing cover kit with High Flow Pump
Replacement 11 Bolt timing cover kit with High Flow Pump
OEM Pontiac Reconditioned Timing Covers
We do have reconditioned original timing covers from time to time but stock is limited. Email us if you need a particular year and we will see if we have one tested and refinished thats ready to install.
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