Frustrated with over-engineered C4
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
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From: Houston TX
Frustrated with over-engineered C4
The last valve cover gaskets I replaced was on a 70 camaro. I recall the job took all of 30 minutes to do.
Yesterday I pop the hood on my 85 (that alone took about 45 minutes and an adjustment to do) and there they are in plain sight. 8 nuts, a couple of grommets, work em around a couple of wiring harness's. No problem. Right?
Well, the left side wound up hitting the ultra stupid, completly worthless AIR pump in the front by about 1/2 inch and a metal vacume tube in rear by about the same amount.
By 1985, GM new full well that their small block V8 valve cover gaskets leak oil and they couldn't find it in their hearts to engineer easy replacement of them.
I'm ready to either find a way of stripping this car of it's stupid meaningless hardware or cash it in on a C3 and go old school.
Yesterday I pop the hood on my 85 (that alone took about 45 minutes and an adjustment to do) and there they are in plain sight. 8 nuts, a couple of grommets, work em around a couple of wiring harness's. No problem. Right?
Well, the left side wound up hitting the ultra stupid, completly worthless AIR pump in the front by about 1/2 inch and a metal vacume tube in rear by about the same amount.
By 1985, GM new full well that their small block V8 valve cover gaskets leak oil and they couldn't find it in their hearts to engineer easy replacement of them.
I'm ready to either find a way of stripping this car of it's stupid meaningless hardware or cash it in on a C3 and go old school.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
From: Barrington NH
OK, step away from the car and put down the axe!
I did the valve covers on my 86 and know EXACTLY what yer going through. I ended up pulling the AIR pump and the vacuum tube off to clear the left side valve cover. The right side was the hardest for me, though. You have to remove the EGR pipe first, and then it takes a lot of wiggling (and cursing
) to get the cover off. Getting them off was the hard part, putting 'em back on was easier. Once yer done you'll feel better, trust me 
I did the valve covers on my 86 and know EXACTLY what yer going through. I ended up pulling the AIR pump and the vacuum tube off to clear the left side valve cover. The right side was the hardest for me, though. You have to remove the EGR pipe first, and then it takes a lot of wiggling (and cursing
) to get the cover off. Getting them off was the hard part, putting 'em back on was easier. Once yer done you'll feel better, trust me
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,598
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From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
OK, step away from the car and put down the axe!
I did the valve covers on my 86 and know EXACTLY what yer going through. I ended up pulling the AIR pump and the vacuum tube off to clear the left side valve cover. The right side was the hardest for me, though. You have to remove the EGR pipe first, and then it takes a lot of wiggling (and cursing ) to get the cover off. Getting them off was the hard part, putting 'em back on was easier. Once yer done you'll feel better, trust me
I did the valve covers on my 86 and know EXACTLY what yer going through. I ended up pulling the AIR pump and the vacuum tube off to clear the left side valve cover. The right side was the hardest for me, though. You have to remove the EGR pipe first, and then it takes a lot of wiggling (and cursing
) to get the cover off. Getting them off was the hard part, putting 'em back on was easier. Once yer done you'll feel better, trust me 
It does in on the '84 too. But ours is easy to disassemble the top of the engine and have a clear shot on both sides.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
It doesn't get any better for the 92 LT1. Right side you need to remove the AIR pipe which is no fun. On the driver's side you need to move the alternator and A/C bracket to make room to remove the cover. Just thank your creator that you are not replacing the heater core.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I feel your pain...
I did an internship at Land Rover North America HQ and I asked the engineers about stuff like this. With little exception, no consideration is given for service in the design and layout of an automobile. Ther were several reasons given, I will spare the details, they all made sense, cost of production and fitting the package is paramount.
So, I learned a long time ago that everything in the way is actually easy to remove. I tried to avoid it to "save time"
This certainly adds steps, but it is better than fighting stuff all the time. If it's in my way, I take it off right from the start.
I remember a 25yr vet working on a very old 50's caddy and while getting a 3/4 turn at a time on bolt (a brake line was in the way) he laughed said "I bet they bitched up a storm in the 50's about how tight the compartments have become".
I did an internship at Land Rover North America HQ and I asked the engineers about stuff like this. With little exception, no consideration is given for service in the design and layout of an automobile. Ther were several reasons given, I will spare the details, they all made sense, cost of production and fitting the package is paramount.
So, I learned a long time ago that everything in the way is actually easy to remove. I tried to avoid it to "save time"
This certainly adds steps, but it is better than fighting stuff all the time. If it's in my way, I take it off right from the start.I remember a 25yr vet working on a very old 50's caddy and while getting a 3/4 turn at a time on bolt (a brake line was in the way) he laughed said "I bet they bitched up a storm in the 50's about how tight the compartments have become".
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
A person really needs to fully understand the ramifications of removing emission components prior to doing it. Especially in California.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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I feel ya. On my LT1, in order to change the driver's side ignition wires, I had to remove the rubber intake coupling, the serpentine belt, the belt tensioner, the idler arm pulley, loosen the PS pump AND the ASR module housing.
It took me two-and-a-half-hours to do that side. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to change the passenger side wires and ignition coil wire.
No way in hell should routine tune-up items be this difficult. If it were any other car other than a Corvette, I'd have sold the damned thing a long time ago. Call it a labor of love.
It took me two-and-a-half-hours to do that side. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to change the passenger side wires and ignition coil wire.
No way in hell should routine tune-up items be this difficult. If it were any other car other than a Corvette, I'd have sold the damned thing a long time ago. Call it a labor of love.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Houston PA
You just want an excuse to get a C3! I dont blame you, they are very sweet, and in some respects look easer to work on. I was looking at one at a local car show the other day thought, and the old distributor with points just doesnt look like any fun either.
I dont blame you, they are very sweet, and in some respects look easer to work on. I was looking at one at a local car show the other day thought, and the old distributor with points just doesnt look like any fun either.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
no C3. while beautiful, most are sub-par in the handling and power dept. crickety with loads of secret problems. old days, old school.
would you pick a chick who's gorgeous, but rotten and ready to fall apart inside?
would you pick a chick who's gorgeous, but rotten and ready to fall apart inside?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 86
From: Corbin KY
Being that it is an 85 you do not have the EGR tube to screw with on the pass side witch is a plus. I removed ALL the smog pump and all its hoses before I changed my gaskets. When I went to change them it was a BREAZE! I did both gaskets in about 20 minutes.
ALSO when you replace them spend the money and get the NICE rubber coated ones from Fel Pro that have the metal core. I purchased these at AutoZone for just under 20 bucks and MAN are they NICE and not a drop of oil leaking since they were replaced.
GOOD LUCK!
ALSO when you replace them spend the money and get the NICE rubber coated ones from Fel Pro that have the metal core. I purchased these at AutoZone for just under 20 bucks and MAN are they NICE and not a drop of oil leaking since they were replaced.
GOOD LUCK!