Valve Covers (Cont'd)
Before we can install the new valve covers, you have to install the new rubberized bushings into the valve covers. This is easily accomplished by using a screwdriver and a light application of oil around the small end of the grommet. Twisting the screwdriver while applying pressure pushes the grommets into the holes. The screw driver pushes directly onto the bushing inside the grommet essentially stretching the rubber, and then slide into place with no problem. Do this for all 11 grommet on the passenger side.
The PCV valve needs to be moved from the stock cover to the new valve. The PCV valve is locked into place with a couple of small plastic tabs. A small blade screwdriver needs to be slipped under these lock tabs to all the PCV to be rotated and removed. Be careful not to use to much pry force on these little tabs, be patient and it will come. Clean the PCV valve off with a light dusting of Simple Green cleaner and a rag before installation into the new valve cover.
Team Breed supplies and rubber grommet for the PCV valve hole in the cover. Put this in place prior to putting the PCV valve in. Push the PCV valve firmly into the rubber grommet until it is complete seated in place. Now we are ready to put the new valve cover in place, but first, flip it over and make sure the rubber seal hasn't moved out of it's machined groove. Press it into the groove all the way around, making sure that it is not stretched one direction more than another.
A new dab of RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) sealant will be required on both the upper and lower intersections of the timing cover and the heads. The valve seal gaskets have a widened tab formed here as well. Installing the valve cover will require a little bit of manipulation and reversing the rotation motion required to remove the stock covers.
We started by inserting the rear corner first, being careful not to dislodge the gasket from the valve cover. Rotating the cover as you slide it into place helps to clear the overhead cam gear. Before you seat the cover into place, check to see that the gasket hasn't become dislodged and is still in the machined groove.
Carefully line up the cover as close as possible with the head and push it into the sealant that was applied. Replace the stud/bolts in the same location as you removed them, tightening them just enough to hold the cover in place. Once all the studs/bolts are in place, you can start to tighten them down, using a crisscross pattern from the middle out. They will need to be tightened with an inch/lb torque wrench. 89 in/lbs in the specification, so that you don't strip them out of the heads, and provide just enough pressure on the grommets to seal the valve cover to the heads. Use the same crisscross pattern, torque each stud/bolt. When complete, re-install the harness retainer clips onto their respective studs and reconnect the Coil Packs and injectors.
The driver's side is a little more difficult to reach some of the stock bolts because of the brake equipment. Some patience is required but you will find just the right way to get your sockets and extensions through the network of piping to get at the rear bolt. Remove the drivers side in a similar fashion to the passenger side and clean the RTV sealant off of the this side as well.
A brass spade fitting supplied and needs to be installed on the drivers side valve cover. An application of pipe tape will be required, then thread the fitting into the valve cover, tighten it adequately to seal it to the cover.
All steps for the driver side are identical to the passenger side, after the sealant has been added to the heads we attempted to install the valve covers. We encountered some difficulties with the location of the throttle cable as it mounts to the fire wall. Remove the 2 bolts that retain the throttle cable to the firewall and tie it up and out of the way. The valve cover can now be manipulated into place starting with the rear corner first and rotating the cover as you slip it over the overhead cam gear. Seat the cover into place after you have ensure the gasket hasn't moved or dislodge from it's groove. Repeat the tightening sequence until the valve cover has been snugged down, then repeat the crisscross pattern, torque the bolts in a similar pattern to 89 inch/lbs.
Replace the electrical wiring and retainers to their respective studs and admire the new look under the hood. We added the polished units to our project car and spent some time polishing before we re-installed everything. Very nice product and the fit and finish is awesome.
