Valve Cover Removal Frustration

[BFlat]

How the heck do you get the lower rear valve cover bolt out on the passenger side? I’ve removed the bolt holding down the plastic cover/loom from back behind the intake, but the wires that go into the loom don’t have enough slack to get the rear cover bolt out. Saw a video where a guy snipped off the tab on the loom with the hole for the bolt in it, but don’t want to do that - but I will if I have to.

 

[TurboWh1]

If you have aftermarket valve covers (VC), get bolt loose and leave it in the VC during removal. Remove VC with bolt still in the VC but completely detached from cylinder head. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[BFlat]

Thanks. It did make sense, but it didn’t work. Wires coming out of the plastic shroud don’t give me any leeway at all. The wires going to the fuel injectors have a sever kink/loop in them which doesn’t allow any wiggle room. Noticed that the blue wire going to the knock sensor is wrapped around in a way that makes me think someone has been there before. If I disconnect and re-route it I might be able to get the kink out of the other wires and have enough slack. I’m going to try it when the temps get above zero. Just pinch the connector on the knock sensor & pull, right? So much for an easy job.

 

[TurboWh1]

Just pinch the connector on the knock sensor & pull, right?

Correct..

Now that I think about it more. I also pulled the coolant pipe with the heater core hoses and the wire loom loose from the clip on the heat shield attached to the heater box. I was running the tall Champion valve covers. They look nice but are fun to install/remove on car.

 

[DSEROVY]

If you rotate the engine so the rear most rocker arm is fully compressed, it will give you a little more wiggle room.