valve cover removable

[nwarky]

I've decided to ask for help sooner rather than later. I am attempting to remove the valve covers on my Grand National. What is the professional mechanics secret to removing the passenger side valve cover. I haven't figured out how to create the clearance needed to lift the cover up and off. Anyone out there with the clever answer? Thanks!

Dean

 

[GullsGN]

I've decided to ask for help sooner rather than later. I am attempting to remove the valve covers on my Grand National. What is the professional mechanics secret to removing the passenger side valve cover. I haven't figured out how to create the clearance needed to lift the cover up and off. Anyone out there with the clever answer? Thanks!

Dean

Bump the engine over to lower the rear rocker arm.

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
Yeah, that might help. It is a little tight on the passenger's side.

 

[Nasty]

If I recall, the #1 cylinder at BDTC will allow the clearence for the pass rocker???

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
All kidding aside, the valve cover will come off easily. You just have to hold your tongue a little sideways,eventually it'll come off.

 

[TurboBuRick]

If you loosen the coolant pipe and take the bolt out of the holddown, that can help allot.

 

[Just a Six??]

Also the small bolt that holds the wire loom if needed for extra clearance. Just undo it a few threads & it slides out sideways so the loom can be adjusted as needed.

 

[nwarky]

Thanks to all that responded. I have already removed the loom hold down brackets. I guess I will try the heater pipe bracket next. My hesitancy is how much wiggle room can I create before breaking the pipe itself? As for the rocker arm positioning I will leave that for last as I have the battery out of the car and cranking it obviously requires putting that back in. I appreciate the helpful thoughts. It is so damn close to slipping out yet ..................

Dean

 

[Turbo Loyd]

If you have a torque strap on the drivers side, tighten it up and pull the engine toward the drivers side a little and the valve cover will clear the rockers with room to spare from the heat shield on the heater box.

A little trick given to me after struggling a few times for valve cover gaskets. Now with HRpartsNstuff drivers side motor mount, do not know what to do.

 

[Nasty]

Dont waste your time with the coolant pipe, I have never had to do that. If it will not lift over the rocker due to ac box clearence, you either need to lean the engine to the driver side as suggested to increase the gap or move the rocker down. How long does it take to install a battery? 2 minutes??? You would have been done by now.

Also, when it comes off, move it forward and nose it down under the turbo...then lift it out. Nose it down under the turbo and lower it down then back to the firewall to reinstall. Beats trying to twist it into place.

 

[nwarky]

Any other ideas out there. There must be something a tad different about my car (as usual). I have tried all of the above. I do have the H-R engine mount on the driver's side. My problem is clearance from the heat shield around the heater box. Anyone else encounter such a battle? We are not talking about just one millimeter of space but at least 1/4 inch before I can clear the rockers.

Dean

 

[Nasty]

With the rockers i the correct position, the cover will come off. Its kind of a wiggle-lift-wiggle-slide forward thing, same going back on. Thinking harder, put the #1 cylinder at TDC and then rotate the engine over 1 time. That will get you there.

 

[GNRick]

If you resort to removing the heat shield, there is one little screw on the bottom which you can't see. You will feel it if you run your fingers under there. I took a long screw driver, carefully placed it against the head of the screw, and hit it with a 3 lb hammer. Wham! The head of the screw broke off and I was able to lift off the heat shield.

 

[nwarky]

Again thanks to all that responded. Despite claims that "this or that is never necessary" I have lived long enough to know there is no such thing as 0% or 100%. I ended up removing the paired coolant lines in order to get the darn thing off. Hated to do that primarily as I wasn't having any coolant leaks! Evidently there is something about my car that required the greater effort.

Dean

 

[turbofabricator]

I use a long screw driver/pry bar to bend the coolant lines up, towards to throttle body. I do this on every car I work on. You can't tell after it had been done, either. You only need to bend them up a "smidgen" (highly technical aviation term) Bend them up with them installed. Works great.

 

[Bruce Urie]

I use a long screw driver/pry bar to bend the coolant lines up, towards to throttle body. I do this on every car I work on. You can't tell after it had been done, either. You only need to bend them up a "smidgen" (highly technical aviation term) Bend them up with them installed. Works great.

I've always loved "highly technical aviation terms." They sound so important and cool. You can't go wrong with "smidgen." I'll always remember that.:tongue:

Bruce '87 Grand National