Cam Cover removal

[Tcrate]

Well I am on my way to rebuilding the engine in my 1976 911, 2.7L. I have stumbled on a minor roadblock. I have the chain tensioners and sprockets out, as well as the washers. I am now to the cam covers. Wayne's book says to pry these out. So I have tried using needle noses pliers, a small screwdriver which makes me nervous but they are not moving. Can anyone suggest a good way to remove these. Picture shows the cover I am referring to. Thanks.

TC

[The cap'n]

Remove the chain guides and all the securing hardware for the chain boxes, pull each one slightly outward and the caps should pop off.

The Cap'n

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Tcrate

Can anyone suggest a good way to remove these.

You have the five or so bolts out that hold the chain box to the case? You must because you can't really miss them.

Get a lead or plastic hammer and tippy-tap. You can tell by the sound if all the fasteners are out.

If fasteners are still in place there will be a resounding "eff you", I ain't moving.

[TT Oversteer]

Are you talking about the flange that holds the cam in place? Just grab the end of the cam and pull it out.

[bigel]

I used a few plastic wall anchors to grasp the flange to work them out and unseat the o-rings.

[john walker's workshop]

screwdriver in from behind and pop it loose. you can see the top edge from behind. normally done with the upper valve covers off, but you can get at the left side through the spark plug hole, but the right side cover needs to be off. lever against the cam tower and out it comes.

[bigel]

I went about using a screwdriver initially, but was finding that I couldn't get a good 'hold' on the flange edge and could see myself marring the edge of the keeper.

I have seen reference made to the screwdriver technique as John describes, so it's really up to you.

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

screwdriver in from behind and pop it loose. you can see the top edge from behind. normally done with the upper valve covers off, but you can get at the left side through the spark plug hole, but the right side cover needs to be off. lever against the cam tower and out it comes.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by TT Oversteer

Are you talking about the flange that holds the cam in place? Just grab the end of the cam and pull it out.

Try this method (see above) or use a screw driver from the backside. Maybe someone use Loctite to seal the paper gasket/s to the cam tower housing.

Tony

[john walker's workshop]

if you put a tiny mark on the back of the retainer by using a large screwdriver, it doesn't really matter, as that area does not seal against anything, obviously.

[Tcrate]

Thanks for the input. I was able to pull the cover out slightly and I slid a piece of rope in behind the cover, pushed back on the timing chaine cover and it popped right out. I tried the plastic wall anchors and the anchors kept pulling out of the holes. Onto pulling the heads.