D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!!

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Apr 6, 2002 | 07:22 PM

Brett Richmond

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Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 1999

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From: Hendersonville TN

D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!!

Tring to take off driver side cover and it is loose but it is hitting the frame that the alternater mounts to, and the other thing it is hitting at the back of the cover is a hard sttel tube that runs from the back of the TPI to the master cylinder, what am I missing???????

PLEASE HELP IT WONT COME OFF :mad :mad :mad :mad

Apr 6, 2002 | 07:37 PM

Sharky Guam

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Guam

Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (Brett Richmond)

Sometimes, you have to remove some extra parts in order to remove the valve covers. And sometimes, you can twist or wiggle the valve covers in order to clear some of the brackets. :smash: :smash:

Apr 6, 2002 | 08:22 PM

bill mcdonald

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Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (Brett Richmond)

Mine always hit where the bolt to the smog pump went through, I took it out and ground it and th emounting bracket down so that it clear with no problem.

As for the line at the back, I have no idea what is a hard line back there.
I do know with my 1.6 RR and the super ram I have to work at removing them. I usually pull one side up and have to twist it into place...

Apr 6, 2002 | 08:23 PM

bill mcdonald

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Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (Brett Richmond)

Quote:

and the other thing it is hitting at the back of the cover is a hard sttel tube that runs from the back of the TPI to the master cylinder, what am I missing???????

Ahh yeah, i just remembered, the TPI has a metal line then it goes rubber, cant you just bend that a bit out of the way?

Apr 6, 2002 | 08:32 PM

jackdaroofer

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Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (bill mcdonald)

I think the line on the back you refer to is the brake boster vacuum line and yes, you will have to remove the bolt at the front to clear. Be carefull when you reinstall that the small vacuum line doesn't get trapped under the valve cover

:seeya

Apr 6, 2002 | 09:07 PM

GlockLT4

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2001

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From: Dallas TX

Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (jackdaroofer)

I can get mine off by removing the 4 center bolts and unattaching the vacuum line.. that's it. Just gotta work it a little but it will come off.

Apr 7, 2002 | 03:36 AM

Aggravated4life

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Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (bill mcdonald)

Agreed with Bill Mc here,you need to either remove the metal line or bend it back on the tab and also remove the brackets in front of the motor and then it will come off easy.

On my 86,with the smog pump and bracket on top,I removed it and cut off the bracket edge and bolt end with a cutter to make future removals a snap.I cut maybe a 1/4 inch off or less.Or you can grind it down so next time you wont have to take a bunch of things off to remove the valve covers.
Clearance is tight as you found out.

Btw since installing the air pump eliminator,removal of the valve cover is a snap even though I already modifed the air pump bracket to gain clearance before buying the eliminator kit.
Wish GM did this when building the cars.
:)

Apr 7, 2002 | 05:11 AM

65Z01

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Joined: Dec 2000

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From: SE NY

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Re: D*@% valve cover won't come off!!!!!!! (Brett Richmond)

Your '89 is similar to my '88 so here you go.
Right side:
Remove the AIR tubes and free the diverter valve
Remove all bolts from the A/C compressor and lift it forward
Bend the tranny filler pipe backward slightly
Remove the EGR pipe and other stuff atop the valve cover.
Lift the rear of the valve cover and work it free.

Left side:
Remove brake booster line
Remove alt top bracket
Loosen alt and AIR pump brackets and slide both slightly forward
Remove PCV and other stufff atop the valve cover
Lift valve cover and work free.

There may be a few missing small steps but these will get you there.