help! removing valve covers

[brittbolen]

Ok, first off, I don't know anything.

I'm trying to stop my 70E from leaking oil. The leak is very obviously coming from the lower valve cover, so I was going to try the silicone valve cover gaskets before going for the turbo covers.

Problem is that I can't figure out how to get the covers free! The nuts all came off easily (somebody didn't over torque them!) and none of the studs came loose either.

How do you get the covers off? All the posts I've read imply (by the lack of this type of question) that they just come right off...

help, i must be missing something!

Britt

[ZCAT3]

Britt - they are probably just stuck in place with gunk (otherwise known as baked oil and dirt mixed with ol valve cover gaskets). Try tapping them from the side with a rubber mallet. If that doesn't loosen them up you could try to gently pry them loose - just be careful not to scratch on ding up the contact areas.

[1974carrera]

If all the nuts are off the valve cover will come off. You may need to tap it with a rubber mallet if they are really stuck to the gaskets. Resist the urge to pry so you don't damage the sealing surfaces. Be prepared to catch the oil that will drain out when you remove the lower covers. New nylock nuts and new aluminum washers on reassembly is good. You can check the flatness of the cover sealing surface on a glass plate.
Hope this helps.

[emcon5]

What Bob said.

Don't rule out the possibility that some assclown precious owner/hack mechanic used some sort of tube-o-gasket to stop leaks in the past. If so, clean all the crap of before you reassemble.

Tom

[poorsha]

When you do get them off spend the bucks and get the turbo version covers.
Not only do they fit and seal better but they look so much faster

[vash]

assclown precious owner/hack mechanic? wow, i love it!
i admit i had to pry a bit to get mine off, but i used care. i tried everything else first.

[brittbolen]

I won't rule the assclown mechanic theory out...






check out the sealant job on the sump!

Since the previous mechanic is my brother we'll just have to leave that at that.

Britt

[vash]

oh o. i bet he sealed the valve covers too. that would cause you to leak. i would get the turbo valve covers and have them bead blasted. if you try just the gaskets, and it still leaks, you will be doing it again. turbovalvecovers are about $40 used.

cliff