Down in the Bilge ( again)

[wellcraft-classic210]

Hi
I am replacing valve cover gaskets on a 1983 Mercruiser SBC 350 // It seems the fill tube needs to be removed to get the cover up and past the nearby exhaust manifold.


I tried removing 1 fill tube strap on the exhaust manifold and wiggling & pulling up from above with no luck. Not seeing any other brackets or bolts -- Taking a break now.

Any advice on easy methods would be appreciated when I get back to it.

Using Pliers gently / or prying up in some way near where the tube enters the block may be my next approach. Its a fairly tight space.

Thanks!!!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Fill Tube,..??..??..??

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Sorry -- I meant dip stick tube

 

[alldodge]

According to the manual the inboards used a dipstick tube which screwed into the top edge of the pan, like a flare fitting. Don't think yours is an inboard, but something may have changed. All others just show it sliding in and held by one clamp

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I went back at it and found a second clamp -- moved ithe tube up about 1/22 inch and it was enough to remove the valve cover -- It never did come out all the way -- Its pretty stubborn compared to others I have seen and I did not want to break it // Thanks for the feedback !