replacing lifters, can't remove valve cover

[letdtst99]

Hello everyone, Iam about to replace my Hydraulic lifters, I can't lift off my engine valve cover, I followed all the steps on the Haynes Manual,, its either hitting the intake manifold tube or the rocker arm from the inside, Please help me figure out the things that Iam doing wrong.
I would appreciate all of your help

[Stuart]

(Raises hand). I did an engine rebuild recently...
Remove the intake manifold, then you can see what you are doing...
Other wise if you do manage to get it out, putting it back won't be as easy...

Oh, you will have the known 5 bolts and 3 nuts that connect the plenum to the intake manifold (upper half to the lower half)
AND, 2 bolts that connect to a support bracket under the 'upper half'...
You gota come up under the 'upper half' and they are almost, just almost imposible to get to with the engine installed in a body...
If you tackle the bracket from the other end, you will remove 1 nut from the intake and 1 bolt, 1/2 inch from the nut and discover you still can't get any thing off....
Ask me, I know...

[letdtst99]

Stuart,

So removing the intake manifold will give me enough clearance to lift off the valve covers easily,, I will try that tomorrow and hope thats its easy to take off and put back together,
Thanks a lot
Manuel

[bhazard]

Dude you do NOT have to go through the hassle of pulling the whole intake manifold just to get the valve cover off. The throttle body should be enough. Make sure you put a new gasket in.

[letdtst99]

bhazard,
That is the part thats hitting the valve cover when im pulling it out, I will remove the throttle body and also replace the gasket,

Thanks a lot
Manuel

[mikeycar500]

Dude you do NOT have to go through the hassle of pulling the whole intake manifold just to get the valve cover off. The throttle body should be enough. Make sure you put a new gasket in.

yes this is true all u need to do is remove the throttle body and then u have the room to take it off.
make sure u get a new gaskit for the throttle body or you will end up with water inside and the car won't start after.

[mikeycar500]

i was just on you tube and found this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ0c5...eature=related
ithats if u dont want to take off the throttle body

[The wrench]

Dude that cover comes off easy, just a lil faness, thats all, did it myself, (Mechanic) Comes out easy with patience, instalation lilsilicone here and there and a lil masage and baby slides right in, i used to removr the throttle body till I got drunk and upset one night and tried to WWE the thing , and behold it came out, it your good at JENGA no worries.....................Lil silicone to hold it in place and your golden my friend!!!!!!!!!.................

[The wrench]

Been a mechanic for 15+years.....been there done that.....but seriously....did it no worries no throttle body removal. (((although removal of said throtttle body does help significantly)))new gasket only a few bucks, (local auto suply can help)(OLY IF THEY ARE NOT DUMM DUMMS) Sorry auto zone!!!!!!!!!!!

[shadetree]

roll engine over

ive been here before just roll the engine over until the valves close enough to remove it .

[blkfordsedan]

ive been here before just roll the engine over until the valves close enough to remove it .

:wav:

[Levitan]

Every time I've had to remove the valve cover, it would not come off. After looking at it for a minute, I realized the valve cover barely hits the opening of , what I would call the throttle body, the part that the black intake tube clamps onto. All I did was grab a file and file off the corner of the valve cover that hits the opening. It has always been the right corner of the bolt opening. It doesn't damage the valve cover and you can't see the modification.

Edit: After going back and watching the above video, that is how I did it the first time. I think filing a little off the valve cover is easier, but that is just my 2 cents.

[TominMO]

ive been here before just roll the engine over until the valves close enough to remove it .

Yeah, do this.

[letdtst99]

mickeycar 500
The wrench
Levitan and evryone else

Thank's for the advise, I may also consider filing some metal parts.

Manuel