Valve cover grommet replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
From: Quebec
Valve cover grommet replacement
Hi guys,
L48 1977, I need to replace my right passenger side valve cover grommet, as it is currently leaking. My valve cover is currently installed on the engine and I do not want to remove it.
The question is how do I replace the grommet? I tried to pull on the tube (It is the one that goes into the side of the Air Cleaner) to take it out of the grommet but, it doesn't come out, which seems to be not the right thing to do.
What is the process, I must be missing something, I did a complete frame off and I'm stuck at this little thing...frustrating.
Denis
L48 1977, I need to replace my right passenger side valve cover grommet, as it is currently leaking. My valve cover is currently installed on the engine and I do not want to remove it.
The question is how do I replace the grommet? I tried to pull on the tube (It is the one that goes into the side of the Air Cleaner) to take it out of the grommet but, it doesn't come out, which seems to be not the right thing to do.
What is the process, I must be missing something, I did a complete frame off and I'm stuck at this little thing...frustrating.
Denis
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Hi guys,
L48 1977, I need to replace my right passenger side valve cover grommet, as it is currently leaking. My valve cover is currently installed on the engine and I do not want to remove it.
The question is how do I replace the grommet? I tried to pull on the tube (It is the one that goes into the side of the Air Cleaner) to take it out of the grommet but, it doesn't come out, which seems to be not the right thing to do.
What is the process, I must be missing something, I did a complete frame off and I'm stuck at this little thing...frustrating.
Denis
L48 1977, I need to replace my right passenger side valve cover grommet, as it is currently leaking. My valve cover is currently installed on the engine and I do not want to remove it.
The question is how do I replace the grommet? I tried to pull on the tube (It is the one that goes into the side of the Air Cleaner) to take it out of the grommet but, it doesn't come out, which seems to be not the right thing to do.
What is the process, I must be missing something, I did a complete frame off and I'm stuck at this little thing...frustrating.
Denis
You should be able to easily pull up on your Vent tube to remove it and help to
remove the grommet. The grommet should be rather soft and pliable. Yours may be hard from age and not willing to give way for removal. If I were you, I'd remove the valve cover to get to the grommet to remove it safely. If it breaks apart you wouldn't want pieces to fall down in the lifters. Just a thought.
Good luck with your project.
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Jan 13, 2021 at 10:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,650
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
good advice.. just did this with it off..
suggest #1 buy the replacement and verify it is right..local store did not cut it for me.. and you can see how held on.
pull tube.. its hard and NOT easy.. suggest cutting to try and remove more easily with out breaking apart.. should be doable..with it on...
zero leaks? try it.. any leaks? pull it and a good gasket
suggest #1 buy the replacement and verify it is right..local store did not cut it for me.. and you can see how held on.
pull tube.. its hard and NOT easy.. suggest cutting to try and remove more easily with out breaking apart.. should be doable..with it on...
zero leaks? try it.. any leaks? pull it and a good gasket
Last edited by interpon; Jan 13, 2021 at 10:50 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,650
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
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Spray some silicone around the tube where it enters the grommet, turn the tube to break it loose and pull.
You still may have to remove the cover if the grommet is brittle.
You still may have to remove the cover if the grommet is brittle.
Last edited by MelWff; Jan 13, 2021 at 11:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
From: Quebec
Ok, I put some silicone on the tube and pull it and it did came out.
I took the old grommet, had to cut it but I removed all the pieces, it all came out.
It was a real challenge to put the new grommet in. Heated for 15 seconds in the microwave to make it soft, anyway it did finally get in, with some conviction I should say.
Now I can't get the tube in, even if I put silicone.
Suggestions?
I took the old grommet, had to cut it but I removed all the pieces, it all came out.
It was a real challenge to put the new grommet in. Heated for 15 seconds in the microwave to make it soft, anyway it did finally get in, with some conviction I should say.
Now I can't get the tube in, even if I put silicone.
Suggestions?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 4
From: Quebec
Ouff. I had ordered two different grommets. One for the right side (the one I was trying to put in) and one for the PCV valve side (driver side).
Took the right side grommet out. Put in the PCV valve grommet instead, and the tube when in.
Once I'll have the engine running I'll see if it leaks or not.
Thanks gents,
Denis
Took the right side grommet out. Put in the PCV valve grommet instead, and the tube when in.
Once I'll have the engine running I'll see if it leaks or not.
Thanks gents,
Denis
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,650
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Ouff. I had ordered two different grommets. One for the right side (the one I was trying to put in) and one for the PCV valve side (driver side).
Took the right side grommet out. Put in the PCV valve grommet instead, and the tube when in.
Once I'll have the engine running I'll see if it leaks or not.
Thanks gents,
Denis
Took the right side grommet out. Put in the PCV valve grommet instead, and the tube when in.
Once I'll have the engine running I'll see if it leaks or not.
Thanks gents,
Denis
note the L48 penciled in .. that is probably yours not the L82 (unless your is the L82) only one (out of 4 choices) is round
New NOS GM #3994239 / #3989344 Rubber PCV Valve Grommet | eBay
Last edited by interpon; Jan 14, 2021 at 08:01 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
If your present grommet is very hard, removing the tube is more difficult....but you have to remove it. You might want to drive the car for a while to get the engine warmed up well before you try removing the tubing. That may soften the rubber grommet some. Once you get the tubing out, just use an X-acto knife, etc to slice the grommet from the inside with a vertical stroke. That will cut thru it except for that lip on the inside. Before trying to remove it, tip the knife a bit to also cut thru that lip. Now grab the top of the grommet [right next to you slice] with needle-nosed pliers and rotate them, then pull it out. Installing the new one should be simple--put a wipe of grease on that lip before pushing in into the cover.
The worst that can happen is that the old, hard grommet will break into pieces and drop onto the cylinder head....valve cover removal time!
The worst that can happen is that the old, hard grommet will break into pieces and drop onto the cylinder head....valve cover removal time!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
The factory production line instal method for the rubber piece would be to dip the bottom in some Joy dishwashing soap then insert it. Then the steel pipe would also install the same way. 