reinstalling the valve cover clip, Is there a trick to this? |
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reinstalling the valve cover clip, Is there a trick to this? |
albert110 |
Jul 4 2018, 07:56 AM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 18-May 18 From: Tacoma, WA Member No.: 22,131 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Hi all,
Recently picked up a carbed 1973 914 1.7 to learn performance driving and get my feet wet with car tuning... Unfortunately my first maintenance task has me stumped. I got the valve cover off no problem but for the life of me I can't get the retainer clip back on. Is there a trick to it? I've been trying a few different methods to muscle it back on but I haven't figured out how to get the right leverage to get the end of the clip into the hole. My searches haven't turned anything up, I'd appreciate any tips or links. Thanks. |
ClayPerrine |
Jul 4 2018, 08:01 AM
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#2
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,523 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
Hi all, Recently picked up a carbed 1973 914 1.7 to learn performance driving and get my feet wet with car tuning... Unfortunately my first maintenance task has me stumped. I got the valve cover off no problem but for the life of me I can't get the retainer clip back on. Is there a trick to it? I've been trying a few different methods to muscle it back on but I haven't figured out how to get the right leverage to get the end of the clip into the hole. My searches haven't turned anything up, I'd appreciate any tips or links. Thanks. I make sure that the clip is below the valve cover when the cover is installed. Then I just push upward with my thumbs. Failing that, I use a screwdriver to gently pry upwards on the clip. |
914forme |
Jul 4 2018, 08:06 AM
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#3
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Times a wastin', get wrenchin'! Group: Members Posts: 3,896 Joined: 24-July 04 From: Dayton, Ohio Member No.: 2,388 Region Association: None |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Clay told you all the tricks.
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Bartlett 914 |
Jul 4 2018, 08:08 AM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,216 Joined: 30-August 05 From: South Elgin IL Member No.: 4,707 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
A little grease at the contact points helps. VW logo on the cover goes up side down BTW
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Maltese Falcon |
Jul 4 2018, 08:12 AM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,701 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Mulholland SoCal Member No.: 2,755 Region Association: None |
I use a (custom made lever) slightly bent 1" wide-tip chisel (about 10" long) that has its sharp edge ground away. Then put a tiny bit of lube just at the 2 contact points where the wire-bracket makes contact with the valve cover dimples. Slip the chisel up into the large Arc of the bracket, and place a small piece of plastic ( or tape some old credit cards together ) just under the chisel-tip / where it sits against the valve cover; and give it a gentle push upwards....and it should snap itself back into place (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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bbrock |
Jul 4 2018, 08:13 AM
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#6
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,269 Joined: 17-February 17 From: Montana Member No.: 20,845 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
I haven't figured out how to get the right leverage to get the end of the clip into the hole. It almost sounds like the OP has removed the bale wire completely off the head and trying to reinstall with the valve cover in place? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) If so, reinstall the wire while the valve cover is removed and then follow above suggestions to swing the wire up over the valve cover to clip in place. |
ClayPerrine |
Jul 4 2018, 08:16 AM
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#7
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,523 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
A little grease at the contact points helps. VW logo on the cover goes up side down BTW There is an old story about a woman cooking a roast. Before putting the roast in the pan, she cut an inch off the roast. When asked why she responded that she was taught to do it that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When they finally asked the 96 year old woman in the nursing home why she did that, she replied "The only pan I had was too short for the roast." There was no practical reason for the other women with larger roasting pans to keep cutting the end off the roast. So, how does this relate to valve covers???? Well, I want to ask why the logo goes upside-down? Who told you that? Is it based on a fact or is it just "everyone does it that way?" BTW... I have always installed it right side up. No leaks from the valve covers. |
rhodyguy |
Jul 4 2018, 08:18 AM
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#8
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,093 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
Tie a shop rag in a loop around the bail. Easy to pull it down over the cover.
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iankarr |
Jul 4 2018, 09:59 AM
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#9
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The wrencher formerly known as Cuddy_K Group: Members Posts: 2,481 Joined: 22-May 15 From: Heber City, UT Member No.: 18,749 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
I find a pry bar makes quick work of it. Or a very heavy duty screwdriver. I like the shop rag idea...will try that next time!
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rhodyguy |
Jul 4 2018, 10:19 AM
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#10
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,093 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
To put the bail back on, flip it up and pull down. No cratches on the cover.
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albert110 |
Jul 4 2018, 11:00 AM
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#11
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 18-May 18 From: Tacoma, WA Member No.: 22,131 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
These are all great suggestions, thanks everyone. I did indeed remove the clip entirely, as soon as I get a moment I'll head out to the shop and try as many tricks as I can till I have the cover back on.
-and I think I'll probably flip the cover so the logo upside down just to be one of the cool kids (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) |
rgalla9146 |
Jul 4 2018, 11:04 AM
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#12
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,569 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Paramus NJ Member No.: 5,176 Region Association: None |
Make certain both the gasket and the cover are seated.....common mistake that leads to difficult clip install, oil leakage and do-over.
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Bartlett 914 |
Jul 4 2018, 11:43 AM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,216 Joined: 30-August 05 From: South Elgin IL Member No.: 4,707 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
A little grease at the contact points helps. VW logo on the cover goes up side down BTW There is an old story about a woman cooking a roast. Before putting the roast in the pan, she cut an inch off the roast. When asked why she responded that she was taught to do it that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When they finally asked the 96 year old woman in the nursing home why she did that, she replied "The only pan I had was too short for the roast." There was no practical reason for the other women with larger roasting pans to keep cutting the end off the roast. So, how does this relate to valve covers???? Well, I want to ask why the logo goes upside-down? Who told you that? Is it based on a fact or is it just "everyone does it that way?" BTW... I have always installed it right side up. No leaks from the valve covers. LOL. Ok I concede defeat. It was the old woman.. I remember hearing the logo should be upside down. At some time I must have struggled with a cover and it fit better that way somehow and became a habit I have kept. I will add that it you reuse the old gasket, it should be installed the way it came off |
ClayPerrine |
Jul 4 2018, 11:54 AM
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#14
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Life's been good to me so far..... Group: Admin Posts: 15,523 Joined: 11-September 03 From: Hurst, TX. Member No.: 1,143 Region Association: NineFourteenerVille |
A little grease at the contact points helps. VW logo on the cover goes up side down BTW There is an old story about a woman cooking a roast. Before putting the roast in the pan, she cut an inch off the roast. When asked why she responded that she was taught to do it that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When her mother was asked, she said she was taught that way by her mother. When they finally asked the 96 year old woman in the nursing home why she did that, she replied "The only pan I had was too short for the roast." There was no practical reason for the other women with larger roasting pans to keep cutting the end off the roast. So, how does this relate to valve covers???? Well, I want to ask why the logo goes upside-down? Who told you that? Is it based on a fact or is it just "everyone does it that way?" BTW... I have always installed it right side up. No leaks from the valve covers. LOL. Ok I concede defeat. It was the old woman.. I remember hearing the logo should be upside down. At some time I must have struggled with a cover and it fit better that way somehow and became a habit I have kept. I will add that it you reuse the old gasket, it should be installed the way it came off I always wondered where that came from. I was hoping you had heard something I had not about the valve covers. And I agree, if you reuse the gasket, you need to put it back the same way it came off. |
TheCabinetmaker |
Jul 4 2018, 12:19 PM
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#15
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,304 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
If I read this right you're trying to put the bail back in the hole on the end of the head while the bail is located in its spot where it goes. If so it's never going to happen. Drop the bail down to the bottom of the valve cover and it will go into the hole then slip the center of the bail up.
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Front yard mechanic |
Jul 4 2018, 12:23 PM
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#16
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,172 Joined: 23-July 15 From: New Mexico Member No.: 18,984 Region Association: None |
You cut the end off a rump roast because ' well who wants to eat the part that was on the toilet seat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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albert110 |
Jul 4 2018, 12:53 PM
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#17
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 18-May 18 From: Tacoma, WA Member No.: 22,131 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Popped the cover back on with about 2 minutes of effort, thanks again everyone!
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PanelBilly |
Jul 4 2018, 01:34 PM
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#18
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,817 Joined: 23-July 06 From: Kent, Wa Member No.: 6,488 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I guess I’m too late. I was going to tell you to whisper “I love you” as that always seems to make things slide together easier
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rhodyguy |
Jul 4 2018, 03:13 PM
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#19
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,093 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
What part of Tacoma are you in? You should come to breakfast at the Homestead on Sunday.
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albert110 |
Jul 5 2018, 10:37 AM
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#20
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 4 Joined: 18-May 18 From: Tacoma, WA Member No.: 22,131 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Ok first off, definitely going to start whispering nice things to the car as a general practice, thanks for that.
Second, I put both valve covers on upside down and I'm pretty sure it's added about 5 horsepower, or at least that's what I'm going to tell people from now on. In all seriousness though, adjusting the valves has made a huge improvement to the engine in the 10 minutes of driving I was able to do after wrapping up, increased the bottom end torque substantially (not hard to do, there was no pull below 3k rpm) and she idles a lot more smoothly. I'm between Hilltop and 6th ave. in Tacoma, I was thinking of heading out and meeting folks for breakfast but our babysitter doesn't show up till 10, think folks will still be hanging out after 10:30 or so? |
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