Valve Cover removal, need a time span
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Valve Cover removal, need a time span
Hey everyone. I'm looking to remove the valve covers on the car and replace the gaskets sometime either this weekend or next weekend. Now i'm wondering how much time [or should I even attempt] a shadetree mechanic like myself would take to remove them? I want to clean up the oil mess from the leaking valve covers and replace the gasket while I'm at it. Just wondering how long I'm looking at. Also, when the valve covers are off should I buy a type of plastic drop cloth to cover the engine so dirt doesn't get in it?
Thanks
-Steve
Thanks
-Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Valve Cover removal, need a time span (puck)
That's about as easy as engine work comes. Just a matter of undoing the 4 bolts on each and pulling off. (the drivers side might require unpluging an EGR tube). The gasket just comes out, and you put the new one in. Of course you might want to use some carb cleaner and do a little cleaning job under the covers while your at it. I'd say about an hour maybe.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Guam
Re: Valve Cover removal, need a time span (puck)
If your 84 is similar to my 86...about 20 minutes..from opening the hood to closing it...but on the install that damn egr pipe will not go back on easy...it has a dumb little ring on it that is scrunched together to lock two pipes together...well its easy to remove...but putting it back on is a byotch...no tools fit down there.. I placed my pipe over the other and pushed it down..but its not sealed. The ring is a full circle...but pinched together...You might want to go to a auto shop and find some hose clamps and a 4 inch peice of aluminum hose...the flexy type...that way you can screw it on and off when you want....if your is not the same as mine...nevermind :)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Valve Cover removal, need a time span (puck)
20 minutes is a good hood open-close time if you've done it a few times.
It's a little more than 4 bolts each. Like said above, the egr pipe has to be loosened and rotated (unplugging the sensor wire and plugging it back in sucks ). The A.I.R. system tube fitting coming out behind the AC compressor will need to come off for clearence. You will have to remove the air pump mount strut to the manifold and loosen the Alternator/Air pump bracket bolts on the driver side ( two bolts into the front of the head and one nut on the water pump ) enough to swing the accessories away for clearence.
Being that your car is CFI, I'm not sure if any fuel lines are in the way, but on the 87 TPI, I just slightly bent my cold start injector line over a little for clearence.
It's a little more than 4 bolts each. Like said above, the egr pipe has to be loosened and rotated (unplugging the sensor wire and plugging it back in sucks ). The A.I.R. system tube fitting coming out behind the AC compressor will need to come off for clearence. You will have to remove the air pump mount strut to the manifold and loosen the Alternator/Air pump bracket bolts on the driver side ( two bolts into the front of the head and one nut on the water pump ) enough to swing the accessories away for clearence.
Being that your car is CFI, I'm not sure if any fuel lines are in the way, but on the 87 TPI, I just slightly bent my cold start injector line over a little for clearence.
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: chagrin falls,oh,usa
Re: Valve Cover removal, need a time span (puck)
i'd figure more than an hour apiece(but less than two). as i recall there are some clearance issues with the a/c compressor and alternator brace so it takes a little manuevering to get them out and back in.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis OR
Re: Valve Cover removal, need a time span (puck)
I'm not sure how long on a cross-fire, but i bet its nothing like getting them off a TPI. Get good fel-pro rubber reusable gaskets though (the expensive ones) you'll thank yourself later for not using those crappy cork ones.
Jim-K
Jim-K
