Cam Cover Installation Question - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Shizap · 06-26-2021

I am about to begin putting my cam covers back on the car, but I have a few questions. I cleaned the mating surfaces with a solvent and removed all of the oil/debris, however there are still remnants of brown/orange sealant on the surfaces. Does this all need to be removed and if so, how should I go about doing it? Also, how much A136 sealant is required and is it possible to apply to much? I know that I don't want any shimming because of the cam bearings. Last thing, I noticed that the service manual does not mention applying any lubrication on the cam bearings / covers. Is this correct?
Appreciate all the help,
Scott

jss06c6 · 06-26-2021

Yes, the old anaerobic sealant should be removed..

1/8" bead of A136 is plenty.

I put some 40 weight or cam/bearing lube on the journals before reassembly.

Steve

Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

jss06c6 · 06-26-2021

Use a single edge razor blade to carefully remove the old anaerobic sealer..

Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

A26B · 06-26-2021

A-136 is a non-shimming anaerobic sealant. It will only cure in the absence of air, so it is not possible to get too much insofar as shimming is concerned. Just a small bead, like Steve said above in post #2.

sleazy rider · 06-26-2021

another cam cover noob here and i just got one of my covers on today with the help of a few members here. it went smooth and i was not rushed. i placed the filters in the covers and the o-rings for the spark plugs, and the washers on the bolts and applied anti seize to the threads. i applied the a-136 sealer on the head surface instead of the cam cover surface because sh*t happens sometimes and i didn't want to have all that red stuff everywhere. placed the cam plugs in their slots and lowered the cover down onto the dowel pins and began placing the bolts in the heads just snugging them up. then i torqued them down in sequence according to the manual, 3 times. wipe off the excess sealer and that side is ready to go.

Shizap · 06-26-2021

Thanks for the all info guys! I will be giving it a shot later this week.

1991 Corvette ZR-1 · 07-02-2021

On those cam plugs: should they be replaced whenever the cam covers are removed? I?m thinking cam cover removal will be a winter project for me and the existing plugs are 30+ years old at this point. Just trying to make sure I cover everything.

Shizap · 07-03-2021

I ended up buying new plugs because there was sealant stuck on them all. You might have luck trying to pick the sealant all off, but I decided just to go with new ones from Jerry?s Gaskets. Cam cover vent filters and spark plug o rings are things that also should be replaced while the cam covers are off. Also might be a good idea to replace the top chain guide faces. One of mine was broken. They get brittle with age.

1991 Corvette ZR-1 · 07-03-2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shizap

I ended up buying new plugs because there was sealant stuck on them all. You might have luck trying to pick the sealant all off, but I decided just to go with new ones from Jerry?s Gaskets. Cam cover vent filters and spark plug o rings are things that also should be replaced while the cam covers are off. Also might be a good idea to replace the top chain guide faces. One of mine was broken. They get brittle with age.

That is a good call on the replacement of the facing. I have already ordered some parts with everything you mentioned, minus the facing and plugs. What part is that for the facings? I know about the fixed and pivot guides deeper on the block.

Shizap · 07-03-2021

It?s the top chain guide facing for the secondary timing chain. It?s part number is 10110933 on Jerrys gaskets. One inside each cam cover.

06-26-2021	#1
Shizap Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Coweta, Georgia Posts: 53	Cam Cover Installation Question I am about to begin putting my cam covers back on the car, but I have a few questions. I cleaned the mating surfaces with a solvent and removed all of the oil/debris, however there are still remnants of brown/orange sealant on the surfaces. Does this all need to be removed and if so, how should I go about doing it? Also, how much A136 sealant is required and is it possible to apply to much? I know that I don't want any shimming because of the cam bearings. Last thing, I noticed that the service manual does not mention applying any lubrication on the cam bearings / covers. Is this correct? Appreciate all the help, Scott

06-26-2021	#3
jss06c6 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 884	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question Use a single edge razor blade to carefully remove the old anaerobic sealer.. Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

06-26-2021	#4
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question A-136 is a non-shimming anaerobic sealant. It will only cure in the absence of air, so it is not possible to get too much insofar as shimming is concerned. Just a small bead, like Steve said above in post #2. __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.

06-26-2021	#5
sleazy rider Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: conroe, tx Posts: 87	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question another cam cover noob here and i just got one of my covers on today with the help of a few members here. it went smooth and i was not rushed. i placed the filters in the covers and the o-rings for the spark plugs, and the washers on the bolts and applied anti seize to the threads. i applied the a-136 sealer on the head surface instead of the cam cover surface because sh*t happens sometimes and i didn't want to have all that red stuff everywhere. placed the cam plugs in their slots and lowered the cover down onto the dowel pins and began placing the bolts in the heads just snugging them up. then i torqued them down in sequence according to the manual, 3 times. wipe off the excess sealer and that side is ready to go.

06-26-2021	#6
Shizap Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Coweta, Georgia Posts: 53	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question Thanks for the all info guys! I will be giving it a shot later this week.

07-02-2021	#7
1991 Corvette ZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 305	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question On those cam plugs: should they be replaced whenever the cam covers are removed? I?m thinking cam cover removal will be a winter project for me and the existing plugs are 30+ years old at this point. Just trying to make sure I cover everything.

07-03-2021	#8
Shizap Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Coweta, Georgia Posts: 53	Re: Cam Cover Installation Question I ended up buying new plugs because there was sealant stuck on them all. You might have luck trying to pick the sealant all off, but I decided just to go with new ones from Jerry?s Gaskets. Cam cover vent filters and spark plug o rings are things that also should be replaced while the cam covers are off. Also might be a good idea to replace the top chain guide faces. One of mine was broken. They get brittle with age.