valve cover removal & painting

[d5dpdm]

attempting to remove valve covers in my 1990 Roadster (L98). Is it necessary to remove EGR pipe, plug wire brackets, & AC compressor/bracket to get a clear removal of the covers?
I plan to spray the old heads (with high-heat Nickel spray paint) to give them a "newer" look. Clean covers with steel-wool?
Has anybody tried this? Any suggestions?

Paul Moore

 

[Ken]

I stuck this in Technical because you really aren't modifying anything; it's more of a technical advice thing.

As for your question regarding removing the valve covers, basically the answer is "yes" to all of your questions. Don't worry though, you'll get plenty of responses to your questions from those who've done it.

 

[rrubel]

EGR, yes. Plug wire brackets, yes. AC compressor, no. On mine, I did have to loosen the bolts on the alternator and PS pump and I think I removed one of them. But that's on the driver's side. Passenger side didn't do anything but the EGR pipe.
[RICHR]

 

[Vette_Newb]

Remove the EGR pipe, loosen the compressor (All bolts out) and prop it out from the bracket with a small piece of wood or a screwdriver handle, you dont need to remove the bracket. Its very hard to get them back with the TPI runners installed, but it is possible. I believe you have the same compressor as me, a little different from Rrubel's compressor.

 

[Bob Yates]

To clean the valve covers I had mind blasted with glass beads. It makes painting them nice and easy. Most machine shop have a blaster. Some use sand and some use glass beads. Steel wooling those covers will take quite awhile. If you do that wear a pair of thick gloves to protect your hands and have some way of holding them in place. I wouldn't do them on the engine for fear of getting the steel wool in all the electrical connections or in the engine itself. Good luck....Bob Yates

 

[Vette_Newb]

I used some 120 grit on a 5" drill attachment. Took about 5 minutes per cover. Then you have to hand sand the fins.

GL