IHADAV8.com - Turbo Buick Tech, and Nonsense

Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: xpander343 on May 26 2018, 04:44:29 PM

Title: valve cover install
Post by: xpander343 on May 26 2018, 04:44:29 PM

I pulled my passenger side valve cover with the motor still in the car about 6 months ago.  I've forgotten how I was able to get the stupid thing out when I went to reinstall it today.  I've got it almost all the way on, but Its catching on stuff for the last inch or two.   I remember having to bar the engine over to get the rockers out of the way to get it off, but I haven't moved the engine since then.   Any tips or suggestions? 

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: Scoobum on May 26 2018, 05:11:07 PM

Grab a couple of beer. Zip tie the loom out of the way...and remove anything that's in the way. Heater hoses etc. I got pretty good at it when I ran tall valve covers.

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: good2win22 on May 27 2018, 10:37:41 AM

It's a tight fit with the heat shield in place on the HVAC. What works for me is tilting the front of the valve cover up and towards the throttle body then finesse it rearward till you clear the rockers. i usually put a small dab of RTV on the valve cover to hold the gasket in place while maneuvering the cover. Probably not a bad idea to grab another set of valve cover gaskets in the event you tear the gasket putting it on

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: xpander343 on May 27 2018, 05:48:43 PM

thanks guys,  It seems to be catching on the steel heater lines for me on the intake.  I might just drain the coolent, pull them off and try again.  I'll try to get this cover on in less time than brad takes to pull a motor in his car, or I'll just feel silly lol.

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: reality on May 27 2018, 06:43:38 PM

  I think Dan said he can pull a motor in 1 hr by himself.














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Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: Scoobum on May 27 2018, 08:00:10 PM

Takes Dan and I an hour to pull one. He does the top work...we throw it up on stands...and I slide under and do the bottom work. We've got it down to a science.

The hard heater lines must be slightly bent. Rocker cover SHOULD come straight up and off...or just tilt it up a bit.

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: daveismissing on May 27 2018, 08:33:42 PM

Quote from: Scoobum on May 27 2018, 08:00:10 PM

...and I slide under and do the bottom work.

Earl? There's a joke in there somewhere  :)
No one disputes the speed at which you guys operate.

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: john robertson on May 28 2018, 05:57:55 PM

I eliminated the hard line heater plumbing years ago and in winter, just run heater hoses. Apparently, that's why I don't have any problem with removing or replacing the valve cover.

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: xpander343 on May 28 2018, 08:52:04 PM

well I followed everyone's advice.  I grabbed a beer, stared at the valve cover while drinking the beer, realized I'd spent the previous time trying to install the valve cover on backwards, cursed myself out, flipped it around and it popped on without an effort.  Thanks for everyone's help.   :icon_redface:

Title: Re: valve cover install
Post by: Scoobum on May 28 2018, 09:37:54 PM

Alcohol always helps...lol!