Valve cover removal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
From: Liberal KS
Valve cover removal
I need help with my valve covers. I have custom valve covers from the Vette Doctors which they no longer sell and noticed the other day that my mechanic must have lost one of the bolts that screw them on. The screws are not the stock ones and they are tapered so that they screw in flush with the valve cover. It was obvious that he was trying to get away with it because he left the one hole that is not in plain site open (the one on the passenger side all the way to the left underneath the EGR pipe and fuel line.
My question is this. Where can I get another bolt similar to the one I have? Can I take it somewhere and have someone make another one? If I can't get another one and I need to replace my valve covers how easy is it to remove and replace the valve covers? I remember trying to remove my stock ones before and I didn't have enough clearance in the rear section and ended cracking a piece off of the stock covers.
My question is this. Where can I get another bolt similar to the one I have? Can I take it somewhere and have someone make another one? If I can't get another one and I need to replace my valve covers how easy is it to remove and replace the valve covers? I remember trying to remove my stock ones before and I didn't have enough clearance in the rear section and ended cracking a piece off of the stock covers.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Valve cover removal (383 Stroker)
You might contact the vendor to see if they can put you onto the hardware supplier.
Otherwise maybe you can get a bolt that's close and "McGiver" it to look good, or have a good machine shop make one.
Otherwise maybe you can get a bolt that's close and "McGiver" it to look good, or have a good machine shop make one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Re: Valve cover removal (383 Stroker)
There is a slight chance the mechanic dropped it while removing or replacing it--it may be in one of the crevices around your engine! Get a long magnet and start fishing for it.....could be either side. Call the garage and explain the situation. Maybe he knows where it went. Let the manager know you have an unusual bolt and you expect them to find a replacement for it. They have dealt you a small headache.....return the favor! ;)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Valve cover removal (brdd)
There is a slight chance the mechanic dropped it while removing or replacing it--it may be in one of the crevices around your engine! Get a long magnet and start fishing for it.....could be either side. Call the garage and explain the situation. Maybe he knows where it went. Let the manager know you have an unusual bolt and you expect them to find a replacement for it. They have dealt you a small headache.....return the favor! ;)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 0
From: Shindand AB
Re: Valve cover removal (383 Stroker)
Don't even get me started. I have been noticing little things like that recently, missing bolts, wrong type of bolt or screw, and hidden like you said.
Not sure about the bolt replacement. I do know I just swapped out my valve covers on the 87 yesterday. No fun, but I learned a lot about my engine. There are different theories about which components to remove or loosen. I guess I made up my own way the other day. :banghead:
Just take a good look around your engine to see if your covers will come out easy or not.
Good luck.
Not sure about the bolt replacement. I do know I just swapped out my valve covers on the 87 yesterday. No fun, but I learned a lot about my engine. There are different theories about which components to remove or loosen. I guess I made up my own way the other day. :banghead:
Just take a good look around your engine to see if your covers will come out easy or not.
Good luck.
