Renewing rocker cover gaskets

[TVR keith]

Mine are leaking so I have now got some rubber ones to replace the cork items.
The Bible doesn't seem to cover this job .
What do I need to remove to get the covers off?
I do have the right socket to undo the bolts, and no, I'm not a technical numpty, it's just that the only RV8 engine that I've worked on (in fact rebuilt), had carbs so I thought you guys might be able to help me avoid any pitfalls,
Thanks

[clive f]

people have different approaches to this, but here goes;
the passenger side is easy, remove the plenum, you can also leave the throttle cable connected and just carefully put the plenum down near the exhaust y piece, remove the spark plug leads, numbered up if need be, then remove the rocker cover.

drivers side, disconnect the hose going from the brake servo to the trumpet base, crank breather hose on the top of the rocker cover,again plug leads,then I like to disconnect the fuel pipe to the fuel rail, as it makes removal of the cover difficult when left in place, then take the cover off.

hope this helps.

[mb450]

Be careful with the washers in the rubber gasket where the rocker bolts go through. It's really easy to accidentally push one out when you put the bolts in (or in my case for it to maliciously jump out and disappear in to the engine). Fortunately it dropped straight down and ended up in the sump but there was at least 15 minutes of "oh " whilst I drained the oil out and took the sump off to retrieve it. If it hadn't have shown up it would have been a world of pain.

[clive f]

very good tip too its always a brown trouser moment when that happens.

[m4rk]

Mine were weeping a bit too. I just tigntened up the bolts; I found them to be too loose.

My standard 8mm socket didn't fit. Those bolts have more faces, facets than usual. (Not sure what the correct name is for them?)I had to order the socket; couldn't find the correct 8mm socket in local shops.

[TVR keith]

Thanks for that, exactly what I needed

[That Daddy]

If you can borrow the correct socket to undo the originals then just replace with these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-RANGE-ROVER-V8-STAINLES...

Edited by That Daddy on Thursday 26th June 13:54

[GreenV8S]

The standard bolts are 12pt splined (8mm I think, from memory). You may just get enough drive from an ordinary hex socket to undo them, but you'll risk slipping and rounding the corners off.