1991 Corvette L98 valve cover removal

[@markwiley2152]

Thanks for the video. Inspired me to finally fix my leaky valve cover gaskets. Passenger side took me about 5 hours, but I got it done with your helpful instructions.

[@flyboyslc1]

Mark, thanks for the comment. Kinda makes my efforts seem more worthwhile. Sold that car two years ago to a nice young man that is having a lot of fun with it. steve

[@markwiley2152]

@@flyboyslc1 Thanks for the reply. Did you not paint this car and video that?

[@flyboyslc1]

@@markwiley2152 yes, I did paint it, but that was probably 6-7 years ago. Really had a good time with it but also have a 99FRC and a 16 z06 so just too many cars for an old guy. So sold it to a nice young man that is enjoying it.

[@markwiley2152]

@@flyboyslc1 I watched your painting video. Good video. I believe you are from Canada? As is my wife.

[@flyboyslc1]

@@markwiley2152 eastern iowa

[@matthewespindola]

Well done video. I have a 91 Trans Am with the 350 so very similar. Your video is helping me learn before I attempt the job. Thanks!

[@flyboyslc1]

Matthew, thanks for the feedback. Better hang on to that Pontiac! Don’t see many of them around!

[@julianspetrini2579]

Very in depth this will help a lot

[@flyboyslc1]

@@julianspetrini2579 Nice comment. Thanks!

[@johnnyb1776]

My 95 leaks a small bit. I’ve realized it’s at the back of the intake manifold where the oil pump is. Makes it look like it’s leaking from everywhere, even though it doesn’t show on the dipstick. I’ll be replacing it along with valve cover gaskets while it’s apart. Thanks for video.

[@flyboyslc1]

Johnny, thanks for the kind comment. I was fortunate that my "China Wall" as it is known did not leak. Thats a little bigger job but not all that difficult I guess. Just have to pull the distributor and re-time it when done. Study up on that in the corvette forum, C$ subsection. Lots of info on it. Some recommend taking a center punch and punching indents in the castings to help hold the gasket or silicone in place.

[@johnnyb1776]

@@flyboyslc1 Thanks for the reply!

[@robertpatzwald5410]

Hi, Great removal video. Did you do a part 2? How did you refinish the valve covers?

[@flyboyslc1]

Hello Robert, I had to watch the video myself, as I had forgotten exactly what i had contained in it! I did not do a part two, as the put together is just the reverse of the removal. To get my covers finished, I hoped to have them powder coated, but my powder coater told me that they were die cast magnesium with lots of holes in the magnesium that would cause blisters once they were back on the engine. They did bead blast them and get them cleaned up for me. Then I prime painted them with black single stage urethane automotive paint, reasoning that valve covers do not get any hotter than a hood of a car. I first primed them with direct to metal epoxy primer. The paint performed perfectly, and was very durable and cleanable. They looked good when I sold the car this spring. I really do not think you need a high heat paint for them. They just do not get that hot.

[@vedranjovic9135]

Hey there, thanks for a great video! I was wondering if you have any experience with sealants on the cork gaskets? Is there a particular sealant you would recommend?

[@flyboyslc1]

Hi Vedran. I have used Permatex sealants on cork over the years. I don't think cork is the best choice anymore. I used a synthetic rubber gasket and glued one side of it to the valve covers with red silicone sealant. That way the gaskets stay stuck to the valve covers and you can use them over and over again. Best wishes. steve

[@vedranjovic9135]

Hi Steve, many thanks for your response! I just installed recently the cork gaskets with the Permatex as I already had all these products. Let's see how it goes. In any case, if they leak, I will but on some rubber gaskets with the sealant you have recommended. Best regards, Vedran

[@sportsmansparadice42]

How long did it take for the passenger side?

[@flyboyslc1]

Sporty, the hardest part is removing the AC compressor and exhaust gas recycle tube. Probably 3-4 hours for we part timers. Couple hours if you know what you are doing. SC

[@sportsmansparadice42]

@@flyboyslc1 kool thanks.

[@Michael_Lorenson]

Excellent,thanks!