pulling vavle covers

[therock]

can u take your vavle covers off with out having to take off of the intake or like anything major

[98Camaro3.8]

Just have to remove the ICM to get the driver's side off. Everything else can stay on.

[slow6]

got a link of removing ICM? or any info?
pics?
would love to clean up everything and paint valve covers

[98Camaro3.8]

2 bolts hold the ICM to the engine, and another small bolt holds the connector to it. Not a big deal to remove.

[98Camaro3.8]

Also note that if you haven't removed them before, you'll have to take off the rear lift bracket on the passenger side. If you've already removed it, it's easy....but the first time is horrible.

[therock]

ok becuase on my new motor im getting a vavle tick and i wanted to check them the passanger side looks the easiest i think all you have to do is take the bolts out

[slow6]

any drawbacks of taking the valve covers off?
like can get the valves real dirty or something?
can i clean the valves while the covers are off?

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by slow6:
any drawbacks of taking the valve covers off?
like can get the valves real dirty or something?
can i clean the valves while the covers are off?

The only drawback is not getting a good seal when you put the valve cover back on. Use a cork gasket and seal-a-gasket.

Clean the valves? how do you mean? They should be covered in oil - and that's not a bad thing.

[grayman]

don't worry about cork gaskets...ours are rubber. they fit tight in a groove cut into the valve cover. if they wobble out of the groove when you put the valve cover back on you can use a dab of bearing grease to hold them in. no neet for gasket goo or silicone sealers. you'll see.

use torque sequence and get them hand tight all the way around. then use a wrench a give a slight tightening (about 15 lbs.) I forget the exact torque specs but my little haynes manual was misprinted...it says 90 lbs....sheesh...it is more like 15 lbs. you want 'snug...a little tight'...not head bolt tight. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by grayman:
I forget the exact torque specs but my little haynes manual was misprinted...it says 90 lbs....sheesh...it is more like 15 lbs.

Not misprinted at all. It's 89 lbs alright. But like it says...Inch Pounds. That just happens to be 7.5 Foot Pounds. :D

I never bother measuring it, though. I just hand tighten them.

[1DangerousV6]

not to highjack the thread..but how do you get the passenger lift bracket off?..id like to paint my valve covers like my intake

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by 1DangerousV6:
not to highjack the thread..but how do you get the passenger lift bracket off?

Lots of swearing and working blind. Just get a wrench and go for it. No easy way to do it besides just feeling what you're doing back there.

[1DangerousV6]

haha....sounds like fun!

[Wicked 3800 V6]

I've heard different things about that bracket -- all involve cursing, feeling, and even some use of a hammer.
-Rob

[BLLDOGG]

Originally posted by Wicked 3800 V6:
I've heard different things about that bracket -- all involve cursing, feeling, and even some use of a hammer.
-Rob

if you do it right, there is rairly anything that requires a hammer ;)

i have never tried it so forgive me but could you use an air ratchet?