Removal of valve covers !"£$"£$"£$

[Siena911]

Well the time has finally arrived, I am going to do my own valve adjustments. No problem, I have the necessary tools etc. etc. and I am really excited.

I have wire brushed and been spraying the exhaust valve cover nuts with penetrating oil all week in preparation (I noticed they looked a little rusty)
I drain the oil and later go and see if they'll turn. The first one turned without much effort and when I looked closer, the darn stud is turning

So I tried the next one along, I know I'll tighten it slightly then loosen it. Bummer, same thing, aaaarrrrrrrggggggghhhhh.

So can I just turn the studs out?

If I turn them out, do I install them with loctite or whatever you suggest?

Is this only me or do these kind of things happen to others of you as well?

I have decided to leave it till the morning before tackling it afresh.

Thanks in advance for any input..

Cheers Jakes

[Superman]

Happens all the time. Just take them out, and put blue loctite on the studs when you put them back in. No problem.

[Siena911]

Superman, You're my hero.

When I am next in the states I am looking you up and buying you a bottle of your best beer.

Thanks for that, I was beginning to feel that everytime I touch this car I end up spending hours fixing things I break.

Cheers Jakes

[Jdub]

Do get a bit of cleaner in the threaded holes to take out any cruft. Buy a pair of correct pitch nuts that you will double-lock against one another on each stud, using the upper nut of the two to turn the stud in. Careful you do NOT overtighten as you can strip the case.

Also, get a round wire brush wheel on a grinder and clean the threads on those studs thoroughly prior to putting the Loctite on, the nuts, and turning them in.

Hopefully you have in hand the required new nuts that have a nyloc inner section.

Again, VERY careful turning these onto the studs so that you do not strip anything.

Finally, go with silicone gaskets when you button it up.

John

[Siena911]

Jdub,

good advice, thanks mate. I have all the correct nuts and gaskets etc.

At this rate I am going to be all outta beers

Cheers Jakes

[ChrisBennet]

In addition to cleaning the hole and using blue Loctite on the stud you should "chase" the threads on the stud. Double nut the part of the stud that was in the case and remove the rusty nut then run 8x1.25 die over the rusty threads to clean them up.
-Chris

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Jdub


Hopefully you have in hand the required new nuts that have a nyloc inner section.



John

A question here: Nylock on exhaust nuts? I have been told that at the temps that the studs reach, the nylock is useless. It is standard practice to NOT use nylocks on brake parts, but lock washers and/or safety wire because the nylock gets hot and creates a major safety issue.

[ChrisBennet]

Zeke,
He's talking about the lower valve cover studs.
-Chris

[Zeke]

Oh yea, Duh! Well the way it read, the subject was on cleaning the threads and the tapped holes in the head and doulble nutting the studs, then all of a sudden we're putting the valve covers on. I missed the transition. As Gilda Radner used to say, "Nevermind."

[AirCooledExcellence]

Tell you what Jakes,

After you've practised on yours, how about you come to my place and adjust my valves, then I'll buy you a beer !!!

Good luck!

Tim.
____________
1983 SC Targa

[Jdub]

Chris has it down pat: a thread die (?) is a great idea to prevent burrs and whatnot from giving you a false feel on torquedown.

Yes, lower valve covers here - no mention of exhaust.

Do I still get a beer?

Intern John

[Superman]

You can just BRING the beer. I'm a fool for Watneys.