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Trying to take off the valve covers to repaint them, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to get the AC bracket out of the way to remove the passenger side valve cover--even with having the 1991 Service Manual to refer to, I'm embarrassed to say. Any body have any tips?
If you have removed all the bolts pictured, maybe its just a little stiff....sometimes it takes some effort to move the compressor from the grips of the brackets. just go slow and have a methodical approach. Youll get it loose...
I can tell you it is a PITA to take the R side valve cover off if you still have all the stuff in place that the car came with. The A/C bracket does need to move forward to wiggle the cover off. I also had to take the fuel lines loose to get the bracket to move forward. If I recall, the AIR lines also go thru there. The bracket back bolts have to be pulled out completely and there is a star bolt from the front as well that has to be loosened. The A/C hoses will interfere but you can pull the whole affair forward without removing those.
I removed the EGR and AIR systems so for me its pretty easy to remove the valve covers. I no longer have to loosen the A/C bracket either. If you dont have EPA inspections, you might consider this as well.
Been a long time since I painted the VCs on my prior '88 but seem to recall the entire front of the engine had to come forward to access them.
Can't recall if the fuel lines had to be opened to slide that A/C compressor bracket forward?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I got the EGR/AIR pump eliminator kit from Corvettemods1 here on the Forum. As said above, it really cleans up the front of the engine and allows you to get in there and wrench away and clean things too.
My 91 has now passed on to its next owner but I will never forget her.
want some screwy advice that works. clean you the vc real good while on the car then take tape everything off real good while on the car use alum foil and masking paper to get everthing covered. then get some off the shelf tetured paint ant home depoe or and hdw store used this as a base then spray over that with nickel color from the same place this will give you a almost perfact factory match and done right you will never know you did not remove the covers. i promise if you take your time this works 100% and can be done in less then 3/4 of the time of removing the covers.
That's the first time I've come across the idea of painting the VC in place, but it seems to make a lot sense, thanks. As for me, this Saturday I'm not leaving the garage until I have both VCs off, it's a pride kind of thing now. Just after making my initial post I realized how you got the serpentine belt off using a breaker bar on the belt tensioner, which was holding up my progress.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater hope this came out this is painted on the controll arms fuel rails and some other things are polish not painted all the plastic was done with 303 protectent it took probley 3 weeks on and off ever other day to get the plastic and the inner fenders spotless do not paint them or youll be non stop touch up and peeling paint on them. they will come clean and like new take your time
I am currently doing this on my 88 the only thing I had to do on the drivers side is loosen the bottom alternator bolt. the passenger side is a different story. the erg tube hade to come out along with the ac compressor bolts.
Use care around the AC compressor bracket. I understand that its an easy one to break. Making matters worse, its discontinued and a used one right now on eBay is going for a hefty $75.
08-03-2014, 01:09 PM
1991 L98 Valve cover removal
- I have a shorty (snap-on) 1/2" ratchet - overall length around 7.5" - PERFECT!!!
