Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Scott Schroeder Oct 22 2009, 09:58 AM

Hi All –
I am starting to button up my 2.7 after getting everything cleaned up. I noticed on the PP site that Wayne had to remove a significant amount of the cooling/structure ridges on the lower 930 valve covers. I was surprised at how much material was removed. Is this a “every 914 is a bit different” type mod, or is it always something that needs to be done? Can I simply use a dremel? I don’t want to warp anything….
Thanks!
Scott S

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 22 2009, 10:13 AM

It needs to be done to all of em'. A considerable amount of material needs to come off. One way to do it is to leave off the valve cover when installing the engine.....them trim to fit with a bit of extra room. Basically, the ribs need to come off down to the nut bosses on each upper/aft quarter of the cover.

Posted by: Ferg Oct 22 2009, 10:17 AM

Do them now while they are off, and yes, quite a bit needs to come off.

Posted by: Scott Schroeder Oct 22 2009, 10:27 AM

Here is the pic Wayne sent me. He said he only had to do one side – but I had heard other variations. Thats was why I was wondering about each car being different. I will do this to both sides to make sure.

Thanks JP/Ferg (and Wayne!)


Attached image(s)

Posted by: john rogers Oct 22 2009, 10:41 AM

Both sixes (2.2L & 2.7L) we had in my race car were modified to use bolts and no material was removed.

Posted by: Ferg Oct 22 2009, 10:44 AM

I would do both sides, IIRC one side I did slightly less, but if I did it over, I would do it just like that pic, much cleaner looking.

Posted by: MDG Oct 22 2009, 10:53 AM

I did mine like the pic shows; did both too. Take your time grinding as it cuts fast. Pretty easy mod and unless you want to drop your engine every time you need to remove them, you'd better do it now.

Oh, and zero leaks since I did it.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 22 2009, 11:33 AM

Or you "could" use early 911SC aluminum lower valve covers. They fit, they clear the body/suspension, they don't warp, and they don't leak. The best part? There's a TON of them around because people do what ever their internet friends tell 'em to. I had a pile of them at Ventura, and they FLEW away to knowledgeable buyers.

The Cap'n

Posted by: ClayPerrine Oct 22 2009, 12:11 PM

The Capt'n is right. But if you already have the turbo valve covers, you have to trim both sides. Otherwise you won't get them off the engine without dropping it out of the car. No clearance over the suspension console.

My motor is out of the car right now. I can take some picts of mine if you like.

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 22 2009, 07:25 PM

You can use bolts....*IF* you heli-coil the threads.

Posted by: sixnotfour Oct 22 2009, 08:02 PM

I like to leave a back bone


Attached image(s)

Posted by: TROJANMAN Oct 22 2009, 09:12 PM

Scott,
If you can get away, you should come down and take a look at my car this weekend. It just so happens to be up on jackstands (shocker)

Posted by: Ferg Oct 22 2009, 09:20 PM

Don't listen to him Scott, Brant fell for that, he was there all day

Posted by: 9146986 Oct 22 2009, 09:21 PM

I've always had 5/16" taken off the entire top of the cover. I know you don't have to do it like that, but to me makes it look less hacked.

I didn't know about the SC lower covers, thanks Cap'n!!

I like the helicoil or insert / bolt idea, anyone else do this JP, or did you come up with it?

Posted by: Gint Oct 22 2009, 09:22 PM

I call your jackstand queen and raise you two motors. Both are not installed in a car and one has modified valve covers and the other one has unmodified valve covers. Both are sitting side by side for comparison even. Ha!

Posted by: TROJANMAN Oct 22 2009, 10:07 PM

:wed:

He left at a reasonable hour. The street lights hadn't even gone on yet

Posted by: TROJANMAN Oct 22 2009, 10:21 PM

Is that because your living room is connected to your dining room

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 23 2009, 06:58 AM

Nah, it's standard practice in the aircraft industry to use helicoil inserts in female aluminum threads. Aluminum threads wear out with regularly removed fasteners.
They are called STI threads/inserts leaving you with a standard thread hole.
I ground off the ribs like everyone else.....

Posted by: Scott Schroeder Oct 23 2009, 11:53 AM

Gint, Greg -
I will need to see one of your rides. The two pics above are confusing. Waynes pic clearly shows the valve covers being gound on the fan side of the motor. Sixnotfour, in your pic it appears that they need to be done on the tranny side of the motor (based on where the suspension ear is in the pic).

EDIT: think I will just do the entire thing as per Perry's post to be safe.

Thanks a million everyone. very very appreciated.

Posted by: MDG Oct 23 2009, 12:35 PM

tranny end gets the grind; you can access the nuts up front no problem

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 23 2009, 12:40 PM

Yes, Wayne is clearly wrong.....nice pic of the how not to make it work. tho.
A 180 deg rotation (end for end) would have it right.

Posted by: MDG Oct 23 2009, 01:03 PM

Scott, sorry for the crap pic - shoved the camera under the car and snapped the passenger side: you can see the access you have for the front 6 nuts. Where the rear suspension comes in close is what you need to grind for. Otherwise you'll be dropping the engine every time you need to get at the valves.

edit: and even though the 2 lower nuts at the back are accessible without grinding, if you don't take those ribs down too you'll never slip a wrench in to reach the uppers

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 23 2009, 01:47 PM

It's not access to the nuts, it's getting those rebs past the studs and the suspension pivot ear. The Cap'n

Posted by: MDG Oct 23 2009, 02:13 PM

YES!!

Been awhile since I did it.

ah, memory; how it fades.

Posted by: Scott Schroeder Oct 23 2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks!!!

Posted by: Ferg Oct 23 2009, 02:42 PM

Still waiting on those pics of the "new toy" I'm home all weekend, feel free to come by and give me a ride

Posted by: Gint Oct 23 2009, 02:54 PM

What new toy? Spill it Scotty.

Coming on the drive tomorrow? Ferg already wussed out.

Posted by: MDG Oct 23 2009, 03:38 PM

Cheers!

Grind slowly

Posted by: Scott Schroeder Oct 23 2009, 03:40 PM

I wish – Amy was notified today that she needs to attend a meeting in MN on Monday morning – she flies out tomorrow morning. My weekend is jacked. At this point I will be lucky to get a couple hours with a rake in my hand during the girls nap time. Sounds crazy, but I really enjoy raking leaves – it’s the bagging that stinks!!! Hopefully get some pics of Izzy jumping in the piles… and piles… and piles……..

Hopefully some dremel time based on this thread as well!

Here you go Mr Gint….
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=100351

You guys have fun - supposed to be fantastic tomorrow.... then on Sunday...

Posted by: thesey914 Oct 23 2009, 04:24 PM

Scott, I have been a fan of your Martini GT for ever. Glad it's getting a proper motor now. I just milled the standard warped covers flat again and I've not had any leaks since