I sent the carb from my '69 L36 to Lars for a rebuild. I had just acquired the car and it hadn't been driven much. I was concerned about the gaskets having dried out.

While the carb was off I decided to tackle the leaky valve covers. The car has factory AC and still retains the smog fittings. My God, what a PITA. I was able to get all the bolts off but had to let a couple on the passenger side drop out the bottom of the car because I couldn't reach them with my fingers. Cleaned off the original hard as rocks valve cover gaskets using a scraper and a wire wheel. Straightened out the warped valve cover flanges. I chased all the bolt holes. I discovered that the original bolts were too short when trying to use the Permatex silicone with steel insert valve cover gasket. A trip (to two) to the hardware store set me up. I had to recruit my daughter to put some of the bottom valve cover bolts in place. Trying to stack the bolt, lock washer, 2 ground straps for the spark plug wires and get the bolt correctly started wasn't easy. Thanks to her help, we got it all buttoned up with all the ignition ground wires attached. I don't need the smog stuff, no inspections here, but I wanted to leave it because it's so original. I'm rethinking that and may remove the smog tubes and pump to make the car more serviceable.

Lars has sent the carb back weeks ago, so it was ready to go back on. I bolted it up with the correct base gasket sandwich and connected the throttle, return spring, vacuum hoses and throttle cable. A few cranks of the starter and she fired up for the first time in a couple of months. Ran perfect. Tomorrow to the DMV for plates!

I hoping to drive her to cars and coffee on Sunday, fingers crossed!

 

I was impressed with how clean the heads were. No gunk on the valve covers either.

 

Oh How I know what your talking about finished doing mine last winter with the compressor off it was something else I used thick cork gaskets and original bolts worked good with some pressure changed plugs at the same time. Just an old 427 vete. L0l

 

I would have pulled the AC compressor but I could not figure how to get to the rear pivot bolt. I can see it, it's actually lose, but I can't reach it with a wrench or socket. The bolt that adjusts the tension on the AC compressor is also missing. If anyone knows the size I'd appreciate it.

 

Good job on the repairs.....I use Castrol or Valvoline and the valve train is clean like yours after 150,000 miles on my 350 cu.in. Street truck.

As for help working on the engine........here Ya' go...........





She/grand daughter volunteered to install the shorty headers.

 

I'm thinking it is a 1/2 bolt with a 5/8 or 11/16 head Ill have to look at mine to tell, and yes that rear comp bolt is all most impossible to get to, I had all of mine apart due to replacing the POA valve with the new 134 later unit and AC hoses comp. etc. and it was a challenge.

 

A future Tesla engineer in the making?

 

She's styling with those shoes!

 

Not exactly OHSA approved footwear, granddad

I found the bolt, it's a standard 1/2 inch bolt.

 

She is going to make some young fellow a great wife someday!

 

I was thinking it was pretty big and thought was 1/2 in. but wasn't sure.