rocker cover removal

[adyw]

As I am about to do a radiator change due to a leak in the old one, I thought I might do some under bonnet cosmetics whilst the car was out of action. e.g rocker cover powder coat.
Question,
how difficult is it to remove the rocker covers (1997 griff 500)
They are fairly close to the fuel rail and heater pipes and don't realy want to go near them if I can help it. I can see the passenger side will need the plenum lifting off and the plan was just unbolt and lift enough to get at the bolts.

advice please gents. ?

[Pupp]

Passenger side should come off fine without disturbing plenum... prolly need to drop the elbow air hose though. Access to the obscured fastener is possible through the throttle linkage with a 3/8 wobble or jointed extension etc.

I've never got the driver's side off without draining coolant and uncoupling the coolant rails; still not a huge PIA and a good opportunity to flush the system/refresh the concentrate.

ETA... you don't need to disturb fuel rail

Edited by Pupp on Tuesday 18th September 21:01

[clive f]

i find it much easier to remove the phlenum, leave the throttle cable connected and just place it over the exhaust y piece, the other side is a bit of a pig, no need to drain the coolant as once the rocker cover bolts are undone you can lift the pipes a bit to get the cover off, but you will have to disconnect the fuel feed and return pipes, it makes it easier to replace the covers without getting the gaskets out of alignment, otherwise it can be quite fiddly.

[Colin RedGriff]

When I did it I had to undo the fuel lines to get the rocker cover out. I think there are variations on the fuel line route and on mine it goes right across the rocker cover so I couldn't lift it high enough to clear the rockers. Make sure the engine is completely cold (leave it overnight) - I was expecting fuel to p*ss all over the place but there were just a few drips when I undid the hose clips.



I also had to undo the water pipes running down the drivers side for the same reason and I moved the PAS fluid bottle out of the way (didn't disconnect it).

I removed the Plenum just to get room on the passenger side - also watch for the dipstick tube which is secured to the rocker cover - I had trouble getting the screw out that clamps it to the rocker cover and ended up bending the dipstick tube which was a real pain to straighten up again.

Recommend the rubber rocker cover gaskets.

[The Griffalo]

It might be prudent to replace the fuel lines while you're at it if they've been on there a while.

[adyw]

Thanks gents,
I'm lucky that my gaskets are already rubber so will look at them once they are off, plus the heater pipes run alongsdie the fuel lines,

As for the fuel lines I will have to take another look at them tommorrow night as don't want to touch them, so If I can't get them off with out touching them then might go off the whole idea.


Adrian