Is the timing cover supposed to be difficult to install?

[wiggilez]

Is reinstalling the timing cover supposed to be a huge pain, it come off super easy, but installing it with the oil pan in place makes it a huge pain to get both dowels lined up.

Me just being idiot is also a possibilty, but I'm pretty sure its the car

 

[rags]

put a phillips screw driver in bolt hole on each side. use the screw drivers as levers to force the cover down to align the dowels.

 

[Outsider]

Loosen the front 4 bolts of the oil pan about a couple turns, can make a big difference.

 

[wiggilez]

put a phillips screw driver in bolt hole on each side. use the screw drivers as levers to force the cover down to align the dowels.

thats basically what i did with a little help from a dead blow.

Loosen the front 4 bolts of the oil pan about a couple turns, can make a big difference.

Now see that would make too much sense.

 

[RemCharger]

Pretty much every motor is supposed to have the cover installed first, the oil pan on second.
So yes, with the pan fully installed there will be a bit of a struggle