BBC 96- Alum Timing Chain Cover Polished

The R8430 is a one-piece polished aluminum timing chain cover built to replace the stock cover on 1996-and-newer Big Block Chevy 454-502 Mark VI engines (Gen VI). It's aimed at builders who want a cleaner front end without giving up the sealing function the stock cover provides. The polished finish dresses up the front of a dressed-out street or show build, while the aluminum construction keeps weight down at roughly 2.4 lbs. If you're freshening a Mark VI long block, this cover slots into the same footprint as the factory unit. See our full range of engine components for the rest of the front-end hardware.

This cover ships with an o-ring style gasket for the cover-to-block seal, which is the mounting method Racing Power Co-Packaged specifies for this part. Note that water pump gaskets, the crank seal, and mounting hardware are not included, so plan to source those separately when you order. On engines running double roller timing chains, some clearance machining is required to keep the chain from contacting the inside of the cover. Aluminum gives you the corrosion resistance and finish quality you'd expect from a polished piece, and per manufacturer specifications the part carries a one-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Pair it with a matched timing kit and a fresh crank seal during reassembly.

Reach for this cover when you're rebuilding or refreshing a 1996-up Mark VI 454 or 502, or when you simply want a polished face to match other dressed components on the front of the engine. Confirm your timing chain setup before installing, since double roller chains may need clearance work on the inside of the cover. It is legal for off-road and non-pollution-controlled vehicles (1965 and older) and is not CARB-approved for California highway use. Round out the job with a matching oil pan and the right timing chain for your build.