In car removal of cam covers - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Mystic ZR-1 · 11-13-2014

Winter project: powder coat top end
Can the left side cam cover be removed and reinstalled
without disconnecting the AC lines to the compressor?
I know about moving the brake master cylinder etc.
Any tips and tricks?
Thanks!

We Gone · 11-13-2014

Yes just unbolt the AC compressor and move it out of the way some say it is easier if you remove the brake bosster also. . On the right if you look close part of the heater box is removable also.

Mystic ZR-1 · 11-13-2014

That makes sense, didn't occur to me to just move it out of the way
once the plenum is off.

Thanks!

Dynomite · 11-14-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic ZR-1

Winter project: powder coat top end
Can the left side cam cover be removed and reinstalled
without disconnecting the AC lines to the compressor?
I know about moving the brake master cylinder etc.
Any tips and tricks?
Thanks!

Be careful when you set AC Compressor aside that you do not upset the AC connections to the Dryer.
You do not necessarily need to remove the Brake Master Cylinder but does help to remove the C-Frame from Transmission so you can tilt/lower the engine.

See Item #1 Removing Cam Covers (Engine In Car) for Inspections of Camshafts

BigJohn · 11-14-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic ZR-1

Winter project: powder coat top end
Can the left side cam cover be removed and reinstalled
without disconnecting the AC lines to the compressor?
I know about moving the brake master cylinder etc.
Any tips and tricks?
Thanks!

SAWZALL???????????

Mystic ZR-1 · 11-14-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn

SAWZALL???????????

Bring it to breakfast tomorrow AM

ZRXMAX · 11-15-2014

If I were to do it my approach would be to leave to brake booster alone. Your time and fussing around under the dash will be considerable with R & R. Like Clint said... drop the exhaust, drop the C beam and lower the trans enough to gain access to the rear of the motor. Make sure you have a good torx setup and a sure way to apply pressure down on the cam cover bolts before attempting to unscrew them. I would also soak them for hours with the best loosening agent you can come up with... opinions will vary on what to use. Take your time and good luck with it. A nice powder coated engine is a very gratifying project imho.

BOB HDZ · 11-20-2014

I have never done this but got it from a good source. if you take out the motor mount bolt one at a time & jack the motor up with a piece of wood you can access all the torx bolts!!!

ZRXMAX · 11-20-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOB HDZ

I have never done this but got it from a good source. if you take out the motor mount bolt one at a time & jack the motor up with a piece of wood you can access all the torx bolts!!!

You only have to much room to go up. It seems you might end up pinching some things.

Paul Workman · 11-21-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOB HDZ

I have never done this but got it from a good source. if you take out the motor mount bolt one at a time & jack the motor up with a piece of wood you can access all the torx bolts!!!

Likewise... I think it was Jeff Flint that recommended that method, but removing the heater shroud cover is required to allow the motor to be tipped toward the right, IIRC. Maybe some day... Bob G has one of the prettiest powder coats I've seen, if you like silver. It looks (to me) like a tiny silver metal flake. Really nice!

11-13-2014	#2
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,162	Re: In car removal of cam covers Yes just unbolt the AC compressor and move it out of the way some say it is easier if you remove the brake bosster also. . On the right if you look close part of the heater box is removable also. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

11-13-2014	#3
Mystic ZR-1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 2,587	Re: In car removal of cam covers That makes sense, didn't occur to me to just move it out of the way once the plenum is off. Thanks!

11-15-2014	#7
ZRXMAX Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 241	Re: In car removal of cam covers If I were to do it my approach would be to leave to brake booster alone. Your time and fussing around under the dash will be considerable with R & R. Like Clint said... drop the exhaust, drop the C beam and lower the trans enough to gain access to the rear of the motor. Make sure you have a good torx setup and a sure way to apply pressure down on the cam cover bolts before attempting to unscrew them. I would also soak them for hours with the best loosening agent you can come up with... opinions will vary on what to use. Take your time and good luck with it. A nice powder coated engine is a very gratifying project imho. __________________ 91 ZR-1 #661 Watsons, 3" exhaust, Borlas... Hurst, 4.11s, Samco, RD radiator, gel coated motor... turquise / black

11-20-2014	#8
BOB HDZ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Ca Posts: 152	Re: In car removal of cam covers I have never done this but got it from a good source. if you take out the motor mount bolt one at a time & jack the motor up with a piece of wood you can access all the torx bolts!!! __________________ [FONT=Arial Black][FONT=Arial Black]:cool:1990 #2293 BLACK ON BLACK RED TRIM - 63MM T B - PORTED 36MM - LOWERED -HEADERS - CORSA EX - 2003 HARLEY STREET GLIDE BLACK 105 HP [/FONT] [/FONT]

11-13-2014	#1
Mystic ZR-1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 2,587	In car removal of cam covers Winter project: powder coat top end Can the left side cam cover be removed and reinstalled without disconnecting the AC lines to the compressor? I know about moving the brake master cylinder etc. Any tips and tricks? Thanks! Last edited by Mystic ZR-1; 11-13-2014 at 06:08 PM. Reason: ...