Rocker cover gasket leak

[Overhere]

Hi, need some advice:

The N/S rocker cover is leaking on my Chim 450, seems an easy job to replace but the Plenum is in the way of removing the rocker cover!

I'm thinking it looks possible to unbolt the rocker cover, lift it a few CMs up, remove the old rubber gasket, clean the surfaces with a rag. Then to put the new one on, put it OVER the rocker cover, under the back edge and then slide the gasket forward, under the rocker cover at the back and over the rocker cover at the front and over the front edge and position in place.

If anyone has done this or follows my logic and thinks this is a daft idea I'd like to hear any better suggestions :-) I think removing the plenum is a much bigger job and don't really want to tackle it if I don't have to!

Thanks very much for your help everyone

Jack

[chassis 33]

They all do that sir.

Lifting the plenum out of the way isn't a huge job, like you say it only needs to give sufficient clearance to get the cover clear out of the way. I wouldn't recommend just lifting the cover to give enough room to clear the gasket, you've more chance of dropping part of the old gasket in the engine or damaging the new gasket, plus you cant clean any crap that there may be out of the mating face on the rocker cover.

Do it once, do it properly.

Regards
Iain

[puffsorted2]

Depending and how badly its leaking you may want to leave it to your next service. The N/S is easy to do so there shouldn't be much labour charge. Austec changed my nearside one for £35 (including the gasket) at my last service. The O/S is a bit more of a job because if the fuel lines.

[Overhere]

Thanks for the replies, maybe a call into my mechanic is a good idea. I still think it's do-able, although the saying "do it once, do it right" is a good saying.

Jack

[Boosted Ls1]

Lift the plenum, then lift the rocker cover and bond a new cork gasket to the cover using hermatite or similar. Then reassemble If you're local I can do it for you.

Boosted.

[Overhere]

Thanks Boosted, what kind of job is lifting the plenum? will I need to replace a gasket, remove fuel lines or anything else that might not be straight forward?

I appriciate your offer, I'm in Winchester, I think I'd like to try it myself but someone lending a hand would be great.

Cheers

Jack

[Boosted Ls1]

It's not to hard to do. Start unbolting parts from the top and work down. You only need to remove the plenum lid and maybe a few wires and pipes. You'll need some silicone sealant when you refit the plenum lid.

Boosted.

[Bomber Denton]

Easy enough to do as listed above, Autogem do a silicone exhaust sealant which is perfect for the plenum and Blue Hermatite is ideal for the rocker.

Another tip is prior to refitting, clean each abutment surface with a new razor blade at about 25 degrees to the mating surface to ensure a perfect seal.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Bomber Denton said:

clean each butt surface with a new razor blade at about 25 degrees to the mating surface to ensure a perfect seal.

Ooer missus!

[Overhere]

I'm so glad I posted this question THANKS for all the help! two more questions, I've ordered a replacement Rover V8 rubber rocker cover gasket (Uprated) from Rimmer Bros., I thought they were supposed to go on dry, i.e. no gasket sealant. I have Hermetite Instant Gasket slilcone, can I use this for the plenum?

Thanks again all!!! :-)

Jack