So anywho... I'm doing my daily mainainance on my Taurus. This time my waterpump was making noise and I went to replace it and I noticed that I had an oil leak. When I finally traced it to it's source I found that there is a spacer in between the waterpump and the engine block and there was oil coming out of the top of it. There was a piece of gasket hanging out from in between them so I know it must come off and it looks like the water pump bolts is what holds it on but why is that even there? And does anyone know what it's called so I can ask for the right gasket for it? Shoud I be able to pull this spacer off once I take all the water pump bolt out?
The car is a 2001 SE with a Vulcan.

TaurusGLenn

I believe you're talking about the timing chain cover.

Indeed it is the timing cover. At first glance it looked much smaller than it actually is. Much to my dismay my simple waterpump replacement has turned into a bigger job as I have to take the crank pully off to remove the timing cover. It also exposes part of the oil pan and to be done right the oil pan should be dropped and the gasket replaced.
Has anyone attempted this job without droppng the oil pan? Maybe using sealant or something?

TaurusGLenn

People have done this without dropping the pan. Usually you can use silicon and maybe loosen the pan a little so it will fit in place make sure all edges are covered.
Some times I get mixed up as we had both Fords and Chevy's but I think you can do it this way just be careful and watch what you are doing. Look at the manual it usually tells you to handle this problem. Also gasket instructions for the cover should tell you what do do for this.
I think the bottom touches the pan gasket. If rubber it don't take as much silicon.