Concerns about Valve Covers
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,553
Likes: 3
Why not?
If you can clean them up good, tape and block off everything else, what's the difference from doing it this way as to removing them. I don't see why there'd be any difference "where" they would be painted.
Sounds easier to me.
Btw, I repainted my door handles and rearview mirror wind deflectors ( whatever there called)this way. I could have removed it all to paint...but why?
Came out really good.
Anyone know WHY you couldn't paint VC's while their on the engine, if ya do it right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I wonder what else your Dad has been telling you
For me,getting older was realizing my parents weren't perfect & were wrong often
Post pics before & after if possible.I agree it would be best to take the covers off,that way you'll gain some experience,be able to get a better & more even coat of paint on them.You can't put a price on experience.My famous quote is "you can't teach experience"
For me,getting older was realizing my parents weren't perfect & were wrong oftenPost pics before & after if possible.I agree it would be best to take the covers off,that way you'll gain some experience,be able to get a better & more even coat of paint on them.You can't put a price on experience.My famous quote is "you can't teach experience"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NY
I wonder what else your Dad has been telling youFor me,getting older was realizing my parents weren't perfect & were wrong oftenPost pics before & after if possible.I agree it would be best to take the covers off,that way you'll gain some experience,be able to get a better & more even coat of paint on them.You can't put a price on experience.My famous quote is "you can't teach experience"
For me,getting older was realizing my parents weren't perfect & were wrong oftenPost pics before & after if possible.I agree it would be best to take the covers off,that way you'll gain some experience,be able to get a better & more even coat of paint on them.You can't put a price on experience.My famous quote is "you can't teach experience"He probubly told me what he did about the covers because he just didnt want me to do the job, because if i screwed it up, he would be over helping me fix it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I dont want to say my dad knows what hes talking about 100% of the time. But every time ive gone to him and asked him advice or questions he was usually right.
He probubly told me what he did about the covers because he just didnt want me to do the job, because if i screwed it up, he would be over helping me fix it.
He probubly told me what he did about the covers because he just didnt want me to do the job, because if i screwed it up, he would be over helping me fix it.
Let us know how it turns out
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nevada
haha reminds me of replacing my outer tail light bulb that sucked...i had to find a friend that weighs 100 pounds to reach to the bulb...sucks having big arms in those situations...i also painted the valve covers...i wouldnt do it on car thats how you get overspray on stuff and end up with a half assed paint job..i removed a bunch of the accessories to do my valve covers see my pic to the left thats how they turned out
goodluck
goodluck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I dont want to say my dad knows what hes talking about 100% of the time. But every time ive gone to him and asked him advice or questions he was usually right.
He probubly told me what he did about the covers because he just didnt want me to do the job, because if i screwed it up, he would be over helping me fix it.
He probubly told me what he did about the covers because he just didnt want me to do the job, because if i screwed it up, he would be over helping me fix it.
Or,,,maybe you have proved dependant on his help. So, get this one done on your own and make him proud! LOL Seriously, after seeing the pic of (a portion of) your motor, it's looks fairly high mileage and it would be hard to believe the covers aren't already leaking!
I think you're doing the right thing in pulling them, painting the gaskets, and repainting. Trying to shoot them in the car is another reasonable option, but I really think you'll he happier in the long run.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NY
Not necessarily. He might be aware of Chevy V8's tendency for valve covers to leak. And, if you really have one that's NOT leaking, he probably thinks you should leave well enough alone (since it would be the ONLY one in existence not leaking! LOL)
Or,,,maybe you have proved dependant on his help. So, get this one done on your own and make him proud! LOL Seriously, after seeing the pic of (a portion of) your motor, it's looks fairly high mileage and it would be hard to believe the covers aren't already leaking!
I think you're doing the right thing in pulling them, painting the gaskets, and repainting. Trying to shoot them in the car is another reasonable option, but I really think you'll he happier in the long run.
Or,,,maybe you have proved dependant on his help. So, get this one done on your own and make him proud! LOL Seriously, after seeing the pic of (a portion of) your motor, it's looks fairly high mileage and it would be hard to believe the covers aren't already leaking!
I think you're doing the right thing in pulling them, painting the gaskets, and repainting. Trying to shoot them in the car is another reasonable option, but I really think you'll he happier in the long run.
My main problem is that EGR pipe. Its so rusted and i dont want to break it and have to buy a new one.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NY
well, i went and done it now.
the egr bolts are extremely rusted. I soaked them in WD40 went to go loosen the bolts and now ripped the pipe out of its weld so now there is a exhaust leak out of the egr pipe.
IT NEVER ENDS...
and to top it off. My Headers are completely rusted. Not one bit of surface of the headers are clean.
the worst part is. I dont have any money to pay a mechanic to fix my mistakes.
the egr bolts are extremely rusted. I soaked them in WD40 went to go loosen the bolts and now ripped the pipe out of its weld so now there is a exhaust leak out of the egr pipe.
IT NEVER ENDS...
and to top it off. My Headers are completely rusted. Not one bit of surface of the headers are clean.
the worst part is. I dont have any money to pay a mechanic to fix my mistakes.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
the bolts on my egr pipes on my 94 were rusted into the exhaust manifolds pretty bad, I let PB blaster soak in on them over night and they came out easy
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I'm pretty sure I've seen them advertised (new, aftermarket) from my least favorite Corvette aftermarket retailer. You have to add a new heat blanket though (like from Advanced Auto).
You can also install a block off plate on the top end and cap off the lower end.
You can also install a block off plate on the top end and cap off the lower end.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
If not, the bolts come out as any other....counter-clockwise to loosen.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I didn't check there. Not my fav store either but I do get a few little things there.I just check on things like this from the dealer. Not available from them anymore. They got me one from an aftermarket company but can't remember the name but he said they only had like 30 left. It wasn't cheap either. About 140.00 IIRCC. In that range anyway. But that's a dealer markup also I guess. It was complete with cloth and fit well. My point was for the OP to be careful with it. I see that was in vain.......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NY
Ok, took more pics becuase you guys are cool.
BTW the leak is just minor.. i can still drive the car with no codes and no problems.
My Rusty Headers. Im pointing at nut i cant release.
Also Which way do i turn that nut? Counter Clockwise?
Close up on my really rusty Headers!
Me pointing at the other nut i cant release!
Close up! Do i turn the Black part or the nut???????
BTW the leak is just minor.. i can still drive the car with no codes and no problems.
My Rusty Headers. Im pointing at nut i cant release.
Also Which way do i turn that nut? Counter Clockwise?
Close up on my really rusty Headers!
Me pointing at the other nut i cant release!
Close up! Do i turn the Black part or the nut???????