Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Valve Cover

Okay, so I have a brand new chrome valve cover.

Teh question is, how difficult is to install this? do I have to remove the gas tank?

It can be a rascal, not much room to maneuver in there.
Yes the tank needs to come off. It's no big deal I've removed the tank so many times I think I could do it in the dark.
Just take your time and use common sense. YOU CAN DOOOIT!
Mike

Easy as pie..only 4 bolts hold it on...the hardest part is the wiggeling it off the cams...up and forward also you definatly need to remove the tank...also easy...why your there loosen the coils and other items bolted to the spine...this will give you a bit more wiggle room...you need to reuse the old rubber gasket...and be sure it is in the groove...some use rtv to hold it in place I just put it on and went no rtv needed...start to finish for me was 15 min job...not real hard at all

Like Mike said YOU CAN DOOOIT!!

Rob is correct. Get EVERYTHING out of the way and be patient. Try and push the wiring harnes aside a little bit, too. Then it's cake to R/R cover.

Use some zip-ties to hold all the wiring, etc. close to the frame to give you more room. Remove & install from the right side.
Mind the 4 seals, 1 under each bolt. Don't lose them and put them on the same way they came off. Those, and the cover seal can be reused.

Oh, and if the threads come out with any of the bolts - let me know, I've got all the helicoil info......
Tq. for the 4 bolts is 10nm....

It is a cake walk. Like it has been said, use zip ties to hold the wiring out of the way, reuse the gromets and gasket. A quick tip is it put a drop and I do mean a small drop of gasket sealer in the new covers gasket holding rail. It will keep the gasket from falling out when you try to install it. Oh and dont be dumb like I was and forget to turn the gas back on after you get everything back toghter..

The hardest part I found was keeping the darn gasket in place. The chrome is slick and it doesn't wanna stay in there. (I don't use silicone on anything EVER.) I think silicone is for people who can't do it right and use it to pull up the slack.

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I think silicone is for people who can't do it right

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Now that's funny!!

I use a few drops of red RTV in the groove after I've cleaned the cam cover and gasket and let the two set until I am ready to re-install. That way, the hardest part is NOT keeping the gasket in place while jockey-ing it back on.

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pull up the slack

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I use "Assembly Lube". It sticks pretty good and will melt away later with engine heat. Just wipe off the excess after installation

heavy grease holds stuff together, paper gaskets, rubber till it's set in place. old mechanic trick


mike

Erwin, your avatar is very "Lee-esque". He would be pleased with it.
Very cool.