valve covers
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
valve covers
I just got an 85 that I am trying to clean up. For the most part the engine compartment looks really clean. But the aluminum valve covers make the rest of the engine look like trash, becasue the paint is peeling the medallion is missing and for some reason they are a battleship grey. I purchased some new chrome covers to set off the engine compartment. Now after looking at the manual though it seems I have to dismantle most of the engine to replace them. One thing as a newbie I am having a hard time understanding is why I need to remove the exhaust manifold on the right side to get the cover above it off. Something doesn't make sense. Anyone out there tried to do this and have a simpler way?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
I have an 85 and I have found it pretty easy to pull them . On the drivers side take the cap off of the wiper motor. I use a sideways ratchet screwdriver set that I got from Lowe's for the the 3 torx screws. There will be a few vacuum hoses to move, no big deal. On the passenger side move the hoses in the front that are in way and it's no big deal. The emblems are available on ebay, that's where I got mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-1990-Corvette-Valve-Cover-Emblem-/350748700297?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1985%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item51aa406e89&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-1990-Corvette-Valve-Cover-Emblem-/350748700297?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1985%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item51aa406e89&vxp=mtr
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 765
I just got an 85 that I am trying to clean up. For the most part the engine compartment looks really clean. But the aluminum valve covers make the rest of the engine look like trash, becasue the paint is peeling the medallion is missing and for some reason they are a battleship grey. I purchased some new chrome covers to set off the engine compartment. Now after looking at the manual though it seems I have to dismantle most of the engine to replace them. One thing as a newbie I am having a hard time understanding is why I need to remove the exhaust manifold on the right side to get the cover above it off. Something doesn't make sense. Anyone out there tried to do this and have a simpler way?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I don't think you need remove the exhaust manifold, only the EGR tube that runs from the exhaust manifold over the VC to the intake base. Here I suggest you spray the EGR tube bolts with PB Blaster the night before you begin work on them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I was reading from the Chiltons manual. Thought, you got to be kidding! I've worked on restoring three autombiles now, a 66 Lemans, 65 Dodge dart and an 83 Jeep. Not like I am new to the field. But this was just so out in left field, thought I would ask before getting invovlved.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
There is no EGR tube on the 85. The passenger side comes off rather easy. The driver's side can be a PITA. I have never played with the wiper motor, I have always removed the serp belt, loosened the alternator and swung it out of the way and then removed the air pump.
You DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
You DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
I was reading from the Chiltons manual. Thought, you got to be kidding! I've worked on restoring three autombiles now, a 66 Lemans, 65 Dodge dart and an 83 Jeep. Not like I am new to the field. But this was just so out in left field, thought I would ask before getting invovlved.
get a FSM set if you want REAL facts and GM detailed info.
Second..the valve covers are NOT aluminum. They were magnesium and they ALL turned brown the 1st time they got wet. Mag does that when hot.
next...IF you have an EGR pipe,. go to a muffler shot and they will have the tool to reclamp the tube or they can weld a flange like the other end has. Pull tube, other misc things in the way..lift cover off. Rt side is def easier. Do not pinch wires when resetting covers. Wiper motor removal makes rt side even easier.
Loose the $19 generic book. Its useless as lips on a wood pecker. The GM fsm set will cost $75 or more but its like paint by numbers..cannot screw up with the FSM set.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Milford Connecticut
Stop reading the chitlins manual first of all...thats a joke with no punch line.
get a FSM set if you want REAL facts and GM detailed info.
Second..the valve covers are NOT aluminum. They were magnesium and they ALL turned brown the 1st time they got wet. Mag does that when hot.
next...IF you have an EGR pipe,. go to a muffler shot and they will have the tool to reclamp the tube or they can weld a flange like the other end has. Pull tube, other misc things in the way..lift cover off. Rt side is def easier. Do not pinch wires when resetting covers. Wiper motor removal makes rt side even easier.
Loose the $19 generic book. Its useless as lips on a wood pecker. The GM fsm set will cost $75 or more but its like paint by numbers..cannot screw up with the FSM set.
get a FSM set if you want REAL facts and GM detailed info.
Second..the valve covers are NOT aluminum. They were magnesium and they ALL turned brown the 1st time they got wet. Mag does that when hot.
next...IF you have an EGR pipe,. go to a muffler shot and they will have the tool to reclamp the tube or they can weld a flange like the other end has. Pull tube, other misc things in the way..lift cover off. Rt side is def easier. Do not pinch wires when resetting covers. Wiper motor removal makes rt side even easier.
Loose the $19 generic book. Its useless as lips on a wood pecker. The GM fsm set will cost $75 or more but its like paint by numbers..cannot screw up with the FSM set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 770
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Stop reading the chitlins manual first of all...thats a joke with no punch line.
get a FSM set if you want REAL facts and GM detailed info.
Second..the valve covers are NOT aluminum. They were magnesium and they ALL turned brown the 1st time they got wet. Mag does that when hot.
next...IF you have an EGR pipe,. go to a muffler shot and they will have the tool to reclamp the tube or they can weld a flange like the other end has. Pull tube, other misc things in the way..lift cover off. Rt side is def easier. Do not pinch wires when resetting covers. Wiper motor removal makes rt side even easier.
Loose the $19 generic book. Its useless as lips on a wood pecker. The GM fsm set will cost $75 or more but its like paint by numbers..cannot screw up with the FSM set.
get a FSM set if you want REAL facts and GM detailed info.
Second..the valve covers are NOT aluminum. They were magnesium and they ALL turned brown the 1st time they got wet. Mag does that when hot.
next...IF you have an EGR pipe,. go to a muffler shot and they will have the tool to reclamp the tube or they can weld a flange like the other end has. Pull tube, other misc things in the way..lift cover off. Rt side is def easier. Do not pinch wires when resetting covers. Wiper motor removal makes rt side even easier.
Loose the $19 generic book. Its useless as lips on a wood pecker. The GM fsm set will cost $75 or more but its like paint by numbers..cannot screw up with the FSM set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: It's Bad Ass in Black! Cape Coral, Florida
There is no EGR tube on the 85. The passenger side comes off rather easy. The driver's side can be a PITA. I have never played with the wiper motor, I have always removed the serp belt, loosened the alternator and swung it out of the way and then removed the air pump.
You DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
You DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Last edited by thecatmac; Apr 28, 2013 at 11:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,229
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
This is what I did this week on my 85. I used gaskets from FelPro, #VS12869T. $30 bucks but worth it. I did not use their washers, I used the originals. They are rigid enough to just set on engine, then put valve cover on. It says on gaskets which is bottom side, toward the lifters. Put on dry and use a torque wrench if possible, 50psi....