Removing Cam Cover Bolts the Hard Way

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Gunny

When I took off the covers for refinishing, the right side was a breeze with absolutely no problems. The left side was a nightmare and I broke off 4 bolts and ultimately broke off one easy out ... I had to get outside help but eventually got everything off. I did take off the brake booster but have since learned that, with the proper combination of tools/technique, that the covers can be removed without removing the brake booster. It was explained to me but I haven't seen it done, nor have I done it. So take it for what's it's worth.

George

George,
Now I do remember you sharing that story and it helped me with my own situation years ago. It is still easier than replacing a head with the motor in the car that I did......now that was challenging....and timing the cams with the motor in the car was even worse, but I did it.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Cliff, the part number I showed for the oil filter is for our cars and now showing application on their site yet.

I was wondering about your alternator itself that looked different in the photos. I'm still following up with the billet alternator I'm purchasing. I have Randy Woods full underdrive pulley set myself and they are awesome.....I guess everything and anything from the Woods' family are awesome.

The Alternator is just shined up on a wire wheel

I am following your Billet Alternator thread and appreciate your experimentation when it comes to modifications of the ZR1

Also have Randy Woods Dad's LT5X studs in my 91' as I thought I would be removing the heads often.

I did remove the heads once after the stud installation and those studs can be reused over and over again.

LT5X Studs (Randy Woods)

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

timing the cams with the motor in the car was even worse, but I did it.

I am very impressed with your timing the LT5 engine in car...the closest I got to timing engine in car this time was checking the key holes in the front camshaft retainers to make sure they were all four centered at 51 deg BTDC.....they were perfect and on a 67K engine.

Starting Timing by Pinning on my 91' engine out of car


I did replace the PCV filters in cam covers and the top timing chain guide in cam covers had no wear on either of them. What is holding me up now is I lost one of those PCV tube "O" rings in Cam Cover.

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

It is still easier than replacing a head with the motor in the car that I did......now that was challenging

I removed the Heads (my 91') also engine in car but when I got the heads off I could almost lift by hand the rest of the motor (oil pan was off also)

Removing Heads without removing the Brake Booster


Cliff

[Dynomite]

90' is All Up and RUNNING

It is a GO Craig

Ebay Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley

All Pulleys are super quiet and run sooooooo smooth at all RPMs.

Forgot the emblems on Cam Covers...Jerry has them in the mail.

You might notice Eliminated TB Coolant and Added Oil Catch Can among some other modifications such as elimination of Air Induction .

And.....my oil pressure gauge is no longer pegged out (now at 65 psi cold) ...must have been a wire to the sensor.
And.....Vacuum pump now hardly cycles at idle at all .......must have cured some vacuum line leaks.

Summary of 90' Reconditioning/Modifications

You will notice this photo taken with engine running is not blury at all indicating absolutely NO VIBRATION
Of either the Alternator Pulley or Belt Tensioner Pulley.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Thanks for sharing Cliff and everything looks great. That was a good investment with the head studs from Randy Woods too. I might have to bug you more if I run into any issues and will try the pulley while I'm at it. Do these mods ever end? I think the only way I will leave this car alone is if I stop looking at this website. Take care and thanks again, Craig

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Thanks for sharing Cliff and everything looks great. That was a good investment with the head studs from Randy Woods too. I might have to bug you more if I run into any issues and will try the pulley while I'm at it. Do these mods every end? I think the only way I will leave this car alone is if I stop looking at this website. Take care and thanks again, Craig

Just remember the Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley when inststalling needs just a 5 minute touch up of the Belt Tensioner outer Boss and install the pulley with the bearing snap ring facing the engine See item #9 of Bling (Carter and Others)

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Just remember the Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley when inststalling needs just a 5 minute touch up of the Belt Tensioner outer Boss and install the pulley with the bearing snap ring facing the engine See item #9 of Bling (Carter and Others)

Okay, thanks. I'll be sure to consult with you before I jack it up.

[Bob Eyres]

Does anybody offer an SS Allen head bolt set for the covers in black that looks more like the stock bolt?
It would be nice to have the advantage of the Allen head, but retain the original look.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by Bob Eyres

Does anybody offer an SS Allen head bolt set for the covers in black that looks more like the stock bolt?
It would be nice to have the advantage of the Allen head, but retain the original look.

I am not sure about SS but there are plenty of Metric 8mm x 1.25 Black Oxide Allen Head bolts available........and the Cam Cover Bolts do not have to be torqued more than about 19 ft-lbs. I use Dowty Washers which have a rubber seal (Jerry's Gaskets) which rubber seal acts as a lock washer Cam Cover Dowty Washers

Painting Cam Covers and Plenum (the quick substitute for Powder Coating)

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Cliff,

Billet pulley on the way from UPR racing. Thanks again and I'll let you know if I need any help with the mod. Looking at your other post, I think I got it. The billet aluminum alternator housings are done so I'll update how those are once I get them; not enough interest for a group buy.

Craig

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

Cliff,

Billet pulley on the way from UPR racing. Thanks again and I'll let you know if I need any help with the mod. Looking at your other post, I think I got it. The billet aluminum alternator housings are done so I'll update how those are once I get them; not enough interest for a group buy.

Craig

I've run the Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley now a couple weeks with absolutely NO issues

Belt Tensioner Billet Aluminum Ultra Light Pulley


Experimental Bling

Ebay Billet Aluminum Belt Tensioner Pulley
Ebay Brass Colored Alternator Pulley