Upper Timing Chain Cover - HELP -

[assk.88]

I was working on my s14 and took the distributor off to replace the o ring ... while i was doing that i removed the valve cover and the upper timing cover to address some small oil leaks. When I took the upper timing cover off I cut the head gaskets flush and cleaned everything up. During reassembly ... I used grey rtv sealant between the lower timing cover and the upper timing cover. To make a long story short after everything was reassembled I realized an oil leak again ... I eventually traced it and saw where the upper timing cover was cracked. My question is to i need to make a gasket to represent the space were the head gasket was or just use rtv sealant ? This is the only thing I can think of that would cause the cover to crack.

UPDATE ... I bought another one and was installing it yesterday and the same thing happen. If you are looking at the engine from the front of the car ... the 8mm bolt on the left is where the cracks begins. I also tightened the bolts going into the head this time first and still didn't help. Also, I know I am not over tightening this ... I tightened with my fingers and barely turned it with the ratchet ...

PLEASE HELP !!!

THANKS

[Pacman]

Take the upper cover to a shop which welds and have them TIG weld it up. They can repair it and make sure everything is straight and leak free. If they keep cracking, then there is too much tension at that spot causing the crack. Make sure that there is no bump at the head or something that can cause the cover to distort, that causes cracks.

I wouldn't have cut the gasket between the covers, you're gonna have to take that gap up with silicone; something I DON'T like doing at work.

[assk.88]

Ok thanks ... I am going to buy one more from a local guy and he is giving me an old head gasket so ill make a spacer/gasket with that and use rtv as well

Thanks again and ill let you know how it turns out