Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Gentlemen,

I am now officially stuck. How the heck do you get the rear (firewall side) cam cover bolts off? The top two are easy, but the bottom six on each side are out of my league.

What ratchets, adapters, and extensions are you using to get to these bad boys? I'm past the frustrated point!

Ben

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Check this thread in the solutions section.

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=84245

On the drivers side, it will involve removing the brake booster or undoing the motor mount and jacking up the left side of the motor.

On the passenger side you will need to disasemble the evaporator box to get to the back bolts, not too tough, be careful not to damage the evaporator.

Rich

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Thanks Rich.

Any idea how to get at the bolts to begin with?!? I can't even fit my socket into the bolt head, much less attach a ratchet of any flavor. Are you using an allen wrench L-shaped torx?

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

As was mentioned you will have to remove the brake booster or unbolt the motor mount and jack that side up to reach them. Get an impact driver also. The torx pattern can strip very easily if your not careful. An impact driver will get them out stripped or not.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Roger... off comes the brake booster. What about the passenger side?

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

You need to disassemble the Evaporator box, also referred to as the Suit case. Recommend changing to stainless hardware at this time as well


http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORVETTE-ZR-...sories&vxp=mtr

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

You don't want to remove the booster unless you plan to replace it; it will really have you cursing and you will be a certified contortionist. Ask me how I know? I recommend as suggested to jack up the motor on that side.

You will also want to invest in a new, high quality torx bit socket. If you strip a head of the bolt you will really have some regrets. They are really tough if the first time being removed.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Trust me on this ...

George

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Lemme axe a dumb question...

Won't we be twisting the C-beam when we jack one side of the motor up? Does the motor actually lean to the opposite side, or are you (in fact) just lifting the motor up? I'm sure the C-beam has some elasticity, but just curious to know what if any precautions are taken - or even necessary - when Uz guyz are jacking one side or another to twist the motor.:icon_scra

P.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Man, I am getting ready to pull my cam covers for refinishing. You guys really got me worried about this job. Is it really that bad getting these bolts out?
Rich

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

When I did mine I took the brake booster off. The only way of taking that part off is by laying on your back and taking off the 4 bolts from the inside of the car. The driver seat has to come out for more room. I was lucky that my neighbor is a small mechanic guy and could fit down there and get his hands under the steering post. The 4 bolts are in a difficult position but doable..........Just takes time and patience....:cheers:

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Crap... and I'm 6'4"!

I don't have a lift, and fitting under the car to undo c-beam bolts and motor mounts is going to be more than a challenge, especially with how I have the car parked.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Rich,

I only know that with mine I survived getting all of them out, but did have a new Snap On torx bit and definitely need the impact driver for sure to break them loose. I was swapping over to stainless hex head bolts, but would not reused some of the bolts as they got damaged from removal. You'll be fine if you take your time and use the right tools.:cheers:

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

The passenger side is a snap once you remove the heater panel. There is a way to do the drivers side without removing the booster or raising the engine. I've done it twice now, on a 90' and a 94'. It requires making a tool of sorts to work in the tight space to loosen/tighten the bolts. I bought a set (3) of these ratchet wrenches from Sears. You actually only need the one where bit goes to the outside on one of the angled ones.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/IMGP3047.jpg

I securely attached (rather crudely) a metal handle extension (from an old gasket scraper) to give me the leverage I needed.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/IMGP3044.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/IMGP3046.jpg

I cut down the allen and torx bits so that they were as short as possible. This gives the max amount of working space.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/IMGP3045.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...e/IMGP3048.jpg

So with this tool you can get in there to loosen/tighten the bolts. You must absolutely make sure you have proper alignment and purchase on the bolts (especially the OEM ones) to make sure you don't strip them. Clean out any dirt that might have gotten in there. I have found that firm constant pressure on them will loosen most. A sudden hard twist attempt will probably strip them. It's a craps shoot on the OEM bolts.

There's just enough room to loosen the bolts completely, but you wont be able to remove the bolts without removing the cover at the same time. In other words you remove the cover (and replace it) with the bolts in place. It takes a little wriggling to get it out (and in) but they do come out. Just be careful not to scratch the cam lobes or cam bearing surfaces with the bolts while installing or removing.

As for tightening, the is no way to get a torque wrench in there. I use an angle torque and "feel" method based on the how many degrees the others must be turned with a torque wrench once you get them snug. Just pay attention to the regular ones when you torque them. Then turn the back ones by the same amount of degrees with your tool. You'll be able to feel if your close, at least I can.

If your a purist your probably aghast by now but this does work.

Good luck and don't be surprised if you strip an OEM bolt when you try to remove them. It will one that you think will be no sweat, ask me how I know.

H
:cheers:

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Thanks for that great posts!! I'll go out and start gathering the needed tools!!
Rich

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

This is awesome information.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

So what's the size for the stainless steel replacement bolts?

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Jerry has them with the necessary dowdy washers as well. That's the route I'm going.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

Well that's good news. I'm going to fight with the passenger side this evening and see if I can get this evaporator cover/box off. I'll get the seat taken out by the middle of this week hopefully. I am shooting for everything off the car by Thanksgiving, but I only have an hour or so when I get home from work to tackle this project.

Re: Removing Cam Cover Bolts
 

If you haven't yet rounded up everything you need, here's a couple of links to "kits" for different levels of LT5 maintenance. Of course, we offer everything individually, but you can use the "kit contents list" as a sort of reference.

Top End Refinishing Kit
http://jerrysgaskets.com/store2/root...roducts_id=473

and

SS Bolt Kit
http://jerrysgaskets.com/store2/root...roducts_id=444