Removing rocker cover breathers/flame traps

[Timja]

I'm getting my rocker covers powder coated, how do i remove the small breather and the flame trap? also, how does the oil filler neck come off?

I have tried turning them but no success on 1st attempt so thought i would check before i damage something! What tools work best?

Thanks

[Pupp]

Mushroom breather is an interference fit, will pull out but you may need a new one to go back in. Flame trap and filler are both threaded so *just* unscrew (can be bloody tight)

[Timja]

Any tips on what the best tools to use to grip the various bits to unscrew/pull out are? I've been really struggling to remove without damaging them!

[snorky]

I should think an oil filter remover made with a plastic handle and the rubber strap would be kindest...

[dbv8]

snorky said:

I should think an oil filter remover made with a plastic handle and the rubber strap would be kindest...

More like a big set of stillies.
If you are lucky then they can be 'hand tight'. Otherwise as Dave says they are glued and need big boy tools to crack.

[myph]

I undid the flame trap with some stilsons with a cloth under to prevent any damage. Breather popped off with some help from a screwdriver to lever the retainer lug on the underside.

[Barkychoc]

If you look inside the filler neck there are two lugs - I stuck a handle of a pair of stilsons down the neck and turned them against the lugs with another pair. Still fookin tight.

I chucked my breather / flame trap away and got a new one - they aren't much if you shop around. I got it powder coated the same as the rocker covers.

[Timja]

Barkychoc said:

If you look inside the filler neck there are two lugs - I stuck a handle of a pair of stilsons down the neck and turned them against the lugs with another pair. Still fookin tight.

I chucked my breather / flame trap away and got a new one - they aren't much if you shop around. I got it powder coated the same as the rocker covers.

ANy suggestions for the best place to get a new flame trap from? Or just CLever trevor?

The breather screwed in on the spares i bought on ebay - have others had screw in ones rather than push fit? and I still haven't been able to undo the filler neck. So tight and think only way to remove is to damage it. Str8six (who i asked to have a go) said it was the tightest one they had seen!!

[Barkychoc]

Thats a good price at Clever Trevor to be honest for the flame trap / breather whatever you want to call it.

I have powder coated a few sets of rocker covers and I had them all done with the filler neck attached - so I wouldn't get hung up about getting it off. I couldn't get it off a couple of them like you anyway.

[Alexdaredevilz]

I used a jar lid opener thingy and it came off no problem with out damaging it

[Pupp]

There's plenty of meat on the filler neck at least to spin it up in a lathe to clean off any jaw or clamping marks...

[Timja]

Barkychoc said:

Thats a good price at Clever Trevor to be honest for the flame trap / breather whatever you want to call it.

I have powder coated a few sets of rocker covers and I had them all done with the filler neck attached - so I wouldn't get hung up about getting it off. I couldn't get it off a couple of them like you anyway.

Unfortunately, for the finish i want (Powder coated then the top surface on the fins machined off) the filler neck needs to come off... Guess i'll have to keep trying!

Will prob get from Clever Trevor as not found it cheaper from any other places and need a couple of other bits.

[Barkychoc]

It could be worth trying some heat on it (hot air paint stripper or soemthing). Difficult ones I have removed have had some sort of gooey sealant on the threads. Banging it with a hammer didn't work - sharp blows didn't do anything - it was getting a good grip and applying leverage that undid it.

[Timja]

Yeah, i was thinking that... might also try soaking in wd40 to see if that makes any difference..... or might just buy another set and hope they are easier!!

[neal1980]

Mine had been powdercoated and were really tight but some big plumbing grips on there and off it came after alot of swearing Got my replacments from Clevor Trevor too couldnt find anyone else that listed them.