C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Valve Cover Removal

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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 12:37 PM
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Default Valve Cover Removal

I just want to know the procedure for removing the passenger side valve cover before I dive into it and start cussing at things. It's a late model 1986, manual trans.
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 12:39 PM
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You will have to remove the EGR tube that mounts over top of the cover.
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 12:48 PM
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if your lucky you don't have to take the egr tube off, atleast I didn't on my 1994 lt1, I have the covers off now setting preload for lifters, on mine the driver side is the fun side to get off. Other then that it should be pretty simple, be careful with gaskets if you don't have new ones
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 01:00 PM
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It's a 1986, L98.

Edit: Can I re-use the old crimp ring?

Last edited by Ghast; Jul 29, 2013 at 01:21 PM.
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Ghast
It's a 1986, L98.

Edit: Can I re-use the old crimp ring?
I've got an '84. To make valve cover removal and replacement easier, I loosened the serpentine belt and two braces holding the AC compressor in place. Must work around some hoses and pipes, but it's doable. To make room on the driver's side, I removed the alternator.
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 01:55 PM
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Supposedly it's easier to remove the driver side by removing the cover on the wiper motor instead of the alternator.
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 03:36 AM
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You remove the two Torx bolts on the EGR tube at the intake manifold. Then you can bend the EGR tube out of the way. It's corrugated and flexible, so this is not a problem.

I have an early '86 with the cast iron heads and perimeter valve cover bolts (they're actually studs), so I can't comment on the rest of the procedure. One thing I have seen is that the baffle for the PCV system hits the rocker arms so there is limited movement front-to-rear.
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
You remove the two Torx bolts on the EGR tube at the intake manifold. Then you can bend the EGR tube out of the way. It's corrugated and flexible, so this is not a problem.

I have an early '86 with the cast iron heads and perimeter valve cover bolts (they're actually studs), so I can't comment on the rest of the procedure. One thing I have seen is that the baffle for the PCV system hits the rocker arms so there is limited movement front-to-rear.
This worked on my Aluminum headed '86 and an '87 i wrench on.
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 08:59 PM
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If you remove the valve cover studs (7mm socket)
Most of this effort will be lessened.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 03:30 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
If you remove the valve cover studs (7mm socket)
Most of this effort will be lessened.
I was using a regular hex socket and rounded off the tops of the studs. Since then I bought a set of "inverse Torx" sockets, which is the correct tool.

I can't get the passenger side valve cover off without removing the studs. I didn't mention this earlier because the OP has the center bolt valve covers.

Just for reference, I cut off the end of the smog pump bolt so it no longer blocks the driver's side valve cover.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 04:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris

Just for reference, I cut off the end of the smog pump bolt so it no longer blocks the driver's side valve cover.

True, i modified several things in order to be free to remove the covers in a breeze, think on a plan for this, because as they came from factory you have to remove so many things in order to remove a valve cover it was annoying. So we cut some stuff here and there and now it's free forever.
I blocked that tube on the manifold and my new headers didn't have
that so now its long gone.

AC Delete and Air Pump Delete helps tremendously as well
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
I cut off the end of the smog pump bolt so it no longer blocks the driver's side valve cover.
Is it not amazing how an 1/8" will make a job so bloody difficult!!!

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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 11:58 AM
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Yes that was a huge headache !!!
i believe the Alternator bracket was blocking my driver's side cover
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 12:23 PM
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Well I managed to strip the top one of the two torx heads, so I undid the crimp ring and pulled the bottom of the egr tube out of the way. it was a bitch getting it back on but I found a crimp tool at home depot.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 02:38 PM
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could u post the brand name of the crimping tool u got at home depot.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 02:56 PM
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Just a standard DeWalt crimping tool in the tools section. It looks like a pair of wire cutters but if you look closely at the blade you'll see it has a special shape.
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 03:49 PM
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghast
Just a standard DeWalt crimping tool in the tools section. It looks like a pair of wire cutters but if you look closely at the blade you'll see it has a special shape.
Have you got a part number for that guy? It should be on the crimping tool somewhere (probably the handle).
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