Strange damage to 351 timing cover

[mudford]

I noticed that I was leaking oil while I was at the dunes last weekend. I thought it was coming from the front seal. I was surprised to a hole in my timing cover when I got the balancer off. I don't see any other damage nearby as if something flew up there and broke it. It looks like something broke it from the inside. It still runs fine, good oil pressure, no weird noises. Anyone ever have anything like this happen?

 

[Justafordguy]

That's odd, I wonder if a rock got hung in there between the cover and the balancer? Are there any marks on the back of the balancer?

 

[mudford]

Balancer looks good. I'm going to pull the timing cover off tonight, and see what I find under there.

 

[Justafordguy]

Do you run a manual fuel pump? I wonder if the arm got damaged somehow? I would pull the cover for sure.

 

[mudford]

Yes, it has a manual fuel pump. I'll definitely check out the arm on it.