Hey gang, my valve covers are chromed, but they need redone. Can I just unscrew them without getting into to much trouble?

 

Unscrew them for what? To have them re-finished? I don't see why not. Just drape some clean rags over the exposed heads while the covers are off to keep dirt out.

Well actually no you can't unscrew them. But you might try un-bolting them, I am sure that would work better for you.

Well actually no you can't unscrew them. But you might try un-bolting them, I am sure that would work better for you.

 

well if you wanna get technical he COULD slot the bolts 90* apart and use a phillips:drunk:

 

RV

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NO!

 

Legend has it that the one with the chrome vale covers is powered by the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator and rotating the bolts 360 degrees repeatedly will destroy the earth!

 

Hardy-har-har

 

Unscrew, ubolt, yada, yada, yada...

 

I just want to make sure that taking them off isn't a major undertaking. I've never worked on a DOHC engine before (all my real engine experience is on a Classic Volkswagen Beetle engine where the valve covers are just held on by bailing wire and you pull them off as part of normal maintenance).

At worst you would need new rubber seals, but it should be all good to reuse the old ones.

don't take them off, just rub some mother's mag polish on them ON car, UNLESS they are clear coated, if they are cleared, then just wet-sand the imperfections out and re-clear it.

At least you dont have to contend with airbox, washer jug, and framerails in the way with this one.

Sorry, one more stupid question.. Do I need to drain the coolant before I yank the valve covers? (again.. used to air-cooled VWs...)

No coolant in the valve covers. At least not normally. But you want a drain pan ready to catch any oil that drains out. Shouldn't be much, but it is enough to make a mess of your driveway or garage floor.