In car removal of cam covers

[Mystic ZR-1]

Got some of the stuff back from the PCer!
Couldn't resist sticking it together to see how its gonna look!
Cam covers are off without incident! To PCer after
the holidays.

[BigJohn]

What's that Black thing????

[Hib Halverson]

Before you pull those covers, make sure you understand the procedure to properly seal them when you put them back on.

Also, DO NOT let the powder coater coat the underside of the covers. Any change in thickness of the cover will change camshaft being clearance.

The sealing surface of the covers must stay pristine or bearing clearance will be FUBAR.

[Billy Mild]

What method did you use to remove the cam covers?

If I went through all this work I would definitely have my plenum ported while its off.

[Mystic ZR-1]

A good rap with a drift and a hammer to the bolt heads (to get their attention...) and then use of a hand impact with a tight fitting torx socket to break them loose. All came out without buggering up the bolts or snapping any off.
That's some tough thread locker they used at the factory...

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

What method did you use to remove the cam covers?

If I went through all this work I would definitely have my plenum ported while its off.

Why port the plenum and not the heads?

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Why port the plenum and not the heads?

Yup. A top end porting opportunity presents itself. However, to avoid messing up the paint job, it would have been better to port the plenum (and the IHs too perhaps) before the PC'ing was done (in case something has to be welded as result of punching through one (or more) of the plenum/IH runners).

[Billy Mild]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Why port the plenum and not the heads?

I thought the heads flowed pretty well from the factory.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

I thought the heads flowed pretty well from the factory.

Considering it is possible with a properly tuned motor with top-end porting and free flowing exhaust to get 390 to 400 wheel hp on stock cams - is a pretty good indication there is a LOT more horsepower to be had by letting it breath better.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Cam covers going to the PCer next week.
How do you remove the secondary timing chain
guide strips?
Any special kind of wire to retain the new foam
filters during reassembly?
Thanks!
OBTW: not a single scratch in the guide strips!