[Syty] Valve-Cover Gaskets...?

[Gary H]

Gary H wrote:
> Dave Goodhue wrote:
>>
>>
>> On 6/30/07, *DOlivares* <seravilo at netzero.net 
>> <mailto:seravilo at netzero.net>> wrote:
>>
>>     Funny, your message hit just as I was doing some last-minute
>>     research on that very project!  Without back-up transportation, I
>>     have to make sure I can start early enough to get done before
>>     sundown and assuming I can get a break from the regular rainfall
>>     we've been getting.
>>      
>>     I thought I had all my parts and tools lined up for the job, but
>>     now as I review the tech-manual I'm wondering about the GASKET
>>     for the valve cover.
>>      
>>     Traditional American motors up through the mid-80s use cheesy
>>     gaskets that cook onto the heads and usually come apart upon
>>     removal after a number of years; however, I was delighted to find
>>     the *embedded-type plastic gasket* on my '89 Trans Am heads.  You
>>     don't even have to be that careful removing the cover; the gasket
>>     remains fixed and resilient in its channel.  * Will the Syclone
>>     valve covers be the same*, or do I need to order up a new set of
>>     gaskets before I get those covers off?  The Great Unknown! 
>>     *Anybody out there with the answer? *
>>      
>>     You can see my anxiety.  If I hadn't been unpleasantly SURPRISED
>>     so many times in the past by such little, petty crap that grinds
>>     everything to a halt I wouldn't be such a conservative
>>     fuddy-duddy today....
>>      
>>     I've also got some shortcuts in mind for this job... I hardly
>>     ever do anything by the book anymore.  Most of those procedures
>>     are written for the paranoid.  I'll try to keep up the record of
>>     what I end up doing....
>>      
>>     D.O.
>>
>>  
>> The gaskets are rubber, that are supose to stick into the grove.  
>> However, the first time I did the valve cover without having the top 
>> end of the motor they kept falling out.  I tried a new set of gasket 
>> without any luck (like a couple hours of cursing), I ended up redo 
>> them becuase they were leaking.  I ended up using 4 of those metal 
>> binder clips to hold the valve cover gaskets in place until got the 
>> valve covers in place.  It worked great. 
>>  
>> I think I bought something like this.
>>  
>> http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&prodCatType=0&catalogId=10051&productId=143830&cmArea=SEARCH 
>> <http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&prodCatType=0&catalogId=10051&productId=143830&cmArea=SEARCH>
>>  
>> To get the valve covers off they are pretty easy, driverside is 
>> harder to do, the back nut on the MAP/EGR Solenoid, Coil, is a little 
>> challenging if you don't want to pull the upper intake or distributor 
>> off, but its do able.  You need to remove one of the Alternator bolts 
>> as well.  Passenger side is basically the Upper IC.
>>  
>> As for doing the valve stem seals, I did mine with the top end apart, 
>> but I am pretty sure I could do them with the valve covers off.  I 
>> was able to adjust the valve with the engine running a short carboard 
>> shield to keep splashing off the engine (make sure its warmed up 
>> first).  I was worried I didn't adjust them properly following the 
>> comp cams article about finding zero lash, but I had. 
>>  
>> For the valve seals I would do it with an air compressor, spark plug 
>> air fitting, and spring compressor.   I tried the 'rope trick' to 
>> hold up the valves. It was no trick it took way to much time. The 
>> time it took me to do #1 cylinder with rope I did 2-6 with an air 
>> compressor.  For doing the seals themselves, myclone responded to me 
>> with a perfect description on how to do them.  #5 was a little tight 
>> for the spring compressor with the brake booster in the way, I had 
>> used a stamp steel spring compressor that my father bought in the 60's.
>>  
>> http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11752
>>  
>> I used the comp cams website for finding zero lash, I think I did my 
>> valve with 1/2 turn of preload.  I did them with the engine running 
>> as well, it wasn't that hard either.
> Here's another good thread about valve seals.  It appears that on some 
> (maybe most?) sy/ty engines, valve seals don't come on the exhaust 
> side.  There are o-rings instead.
> You can replace the o-rings with hi-temp valve seals.  Waiting for 
> Sy2455 to reply with the part #.
> Gary

Whoops.. looks like I forgot to post the thread:

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=48852&highlight=valve+seal

I think someone already posted the part no.  Thanks!
Gary
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.syty.org/pipermail/syty/attachments/20070701/d1d10384/attachment.html