Removing Valve Covers!

delling3 · Dec 30, 2020

Pulled the RH valve cover today. A couple of those bolts are really tough to access! My rechargeable trouble light died before I got all the bolts out on the left side cover, so I stopped for the day. Can’t wait to reinstall them. Any tips to make that easier?

lwarrior1016 · Dec 30, 2020

Make note of where any tough bolts were and make sure those locations do not have bolts with studs on top. Other than that, just be careful not to disturb the gasket when you wrestle it on. Also, clean the covers real good inside with brake cleaner to get oil out of the gasket channel. Oil will make the gasket slip, if it’s dry the gasket will stay in place better.

delling3 · Dec 30, 2020

I took note of where the bolts came from, so no worries there. Just getting a socket on some of the bolts was a challenge. There were a couple of blobs of RTV at the corners where head/timing cover/valve cover met, which dislodged the valve cover gasket when I lifted the cover. Is it ok to bond the new gasket to the valve cover for reinstall?

My biggest concern is getting some of those bolts back in their holes / threads started. Having the engine on a stand (instead of in the car would make the job a breeze.

apsmith49921 · Dec 30, 2020

Idk if this helps but on the driver side you can do a few things. Remove the clutch cable and there is a bolt in the fender well for the master cylinder you can remove and get it to move more to help with removal and install. This is all information for a 4v but I assume it would help you

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lwarrior1016 · Dec 30, 2020

You’re going to want to put the rtv back in those same 4 spots where the timing cover meets the heads, if you don’t, it’ll leak. And don’t bond the gasket to the cam cover in any way. They are designed to seal on their own, so just make sure it’s clean and dry.

Best thing I can say for the bolts, is get a shallow, mid depth, and deep socket in 1/4” drive. Have various extensions and a couple universal swivels on hand.

joe65 · Dec 31, 2020

having had the drivers side off (left) recently i can say the back ones are a little painful. i was able to use a long extension to reach from all the way above the brake booster. I also have a a thumb turn socket attachment that works great if i can get my hand close. It also helps a lot if you can pull the power steering reservoir away from the front of that head to slide the valve cover off towards the front.

96blak54 · Jan 1, 2021

I removed the valve covers off my installed 5.4l once. I wont do that again!!! Had to remove the clutch cable, remove the brake booster bolts, shift the booster over some, remove 2 bolts from the back cover from underneath the car....basicly blindfolded. Then reinstalling .....i dont like thinking about this

Tacbear · Jan 10, 2021

delling3 said:
Pulled the RH valve cover today. A couple of those bolts are really tough to access! My rechargeable trouble light died before I got all the bolts out on the left side cover, so I stopped for the day. Can’t wait to reinstall them. Any tips to make that easier?

While they are off Paint them like I did....turned out great!