Cam cover removal for beginner

[DETSHO]

Okay, can someone give me some instructions on how to pull the cam covers off and what tools will I need and will I be able to get them all from AutoZone. I will pull them off tomorrow morning.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

You'll need a ratchet set with metric 6-pt sockets, a 5mm hex (allen) head to fit on your ratchet, and a couple everyday hand tools like some pliers and screwdrivers.

Search the forum under "remove intake" and "remove valve covers" and as you click through the matching threads, you should find the specific instructions on how to do it. It's quite simple.

P.S. If you can, spend the money on a torque wrench for when you put everything back together, or at the least borrow one under AutoZone's loan-a-tool.

<small>[ April 04, 2003, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: SHOooo ]</small>

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

SHOooo:

P.S. If you can, spend the money on a torque wrench for when you put everything back together, or at the least borrow one under AutoZone's loan-a-tool.

Id advise a QUALITY torque wrench... wink I used to have one of those $50 t-wrenches from Kragen and when I bought my Craftsman I found nearly 6 pounds difference in calibration eek!

And yes, my craftsman is accurate... I checked thumbs_u

 

[DETSHO]

Okay thanx for the advice, I will be determined to tomorrow to find the problem of this cladding/knocking noise.....if I'm looking in the engine after i take off the valve covers is there anyway someone can post or email pics of a bad valvetrain, cams, or what ever I may be looking for that is making that noise

 

[DavidT]

uh,
I guess my $25 torque wrench from Autozone is a bit inaccurate? wink

 

[luigisho]

Is there anyway you can post pics of your valvetrain? It might be easier that way.

When you replace the valve covers you must be careful not to overtighten. Both the bolts and the threaded holes in the heads are very soft metal and easily damaged. It has happened to alot of us and fixing it is a real pain. Especially on the rear cover that has an angle that makes fixing mistakes back there very unpleasant.

 

[DETSHO]

Okay so how can I make sure NOT to over-tighten so I can not make those costly mistakes? BTW I am very appreciative about all this help I am getting. thumbs_u

 

[shojuan]

Get an inch-lb torque wrench. I have one that goes from 20-250 in-lbs (1.7-20.8 ft-lb). It complements my 25-250 ft-lb torque wrench nicely. thumbs_u

 

[DETSHO]

Okay I would like to know if I just do a search for how to remove the cam covers will I be okay or is there some offical instructions you guys go by, I am totally new to this, sdpatt sent me some checklists and procedures but some of them use words like "drain petcock" which sounds to me more like some degrading another person and not mechanic talk. Anyway, I am willing to do this by myself, I am just going to take list of tools to AutoZone in the morning and dig into my SHO and take some pics of my valvetrain and all that good stuff

 

[CALL AAA]

I have a dumb question to throw in here. Can you re-use the valve cover seals? Can you clean off the silicone gasket stuff, and put it back on, or is it supposed to be a one-time use thing?

 

[luigisho]

You can reuse the gaskets depending on their condition. If they are old chances are you should replace them while they are already exposed. Otherwise use some rtv and seal them back up.

 

[SolidState]

when I took mine off last weekend, they cracked as I took them off.

this isn't a particularily card job. I had the help of Mark N's video. I took my time, stayed calm when things didn't go right (like a valve cover bolt rounding and an EGR tube breaking), andit all went back together...

and, I am an extreme beginner...