Timing Chain Cover leaking

[lunatic]

Hello

I have a very minor oil leak on my 99 Contour Duratech 2.5. It's an automatic with 110K on the clock. The mechanic who looked at it said it's the timing chain cover gasket. He even told me not to worry about it because the leak isn't that bad and the cost would be somewhere around $1,200 to repair.

My question is, if the leak gets worse, should I dish out the 1200 to get it repaired or would I be better off just replacing it with another motor...possibly SVT. About how much would it cost for a SVT motor and installation? Also, what all would I have to change to do this...computer, etc?
There aren't any new cars I really like so I'd rather have the Contour repaired for now, afterall everything else is new on it...brakes, suspension, alternater, circuit board, air conditioner, etc.

Thanks

Frank

 

[69Boss302]

don't have an opinion on this, but be sure to post in the Cap CEG area. I'm in Annapolis myself and the meets should be starting soon.

 

[Big Jim]

When I had a leak that looked like the timing cover was leaking it was from the power steering pump front seal. Have another look.

 

[JoeM]

Doing Timing Cover IN the car looks like a Major PITA!
If it doesn't leak enough to bother you, why replace it?

 

[lunatic]

Good point but eventually other major parts may begin to leak and it may be best just to replace the motor instead of having everything repaired, but I don't know how much all this would cost and how many things I would have to change if I were to replace it with a SVT motor.