Help with 5.0 Valve Cover Replacement!

[TwoBallScrewBall_Alt]

1988 OMC 5.0 Carb, with the Log style rear-riser manifolds. Had a noisy lifter, pulled the starboard valve cover and found the rocker loose, tightened it up to spec.

I've been fighting for an hour to coax the rear outer bolt and spreader plate back into place. There is not even room for a finger between the valve cover and the starboard riser. I was able to remove it with a 1/4" universal and some cursing, but I can not get it back in.

Any tricks to getting this bolt back in place before I pull the starboard riser? I would much rather not disturb the exhaust. But I am not seeing another option.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

pull the exhaust manifold

 

[TwoBallScrewBall_Alt]

Pretty sure I can get it done just pulling the riser, that's what is blocking me from getting my hands in there. Don't want to pull the manifold. Was hoping against hope there was some trick. Hope my marina has a gasket in stock

thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

its a SBC.... every automotive parts store has valve cover gaskets. however yours should be rubber and re-usable which was standard in 1988

if the guy at the counter asks you year make and model, go to a real automotive parts store. your two choices are center bolts or perimeter

get felpro gaskets

you need center-bolts on a 1988 (center bolts came out in 1985) 84 and older used perimeter bolts

 

[TwoBallScrewBall_Alt]

Valve cover gaskets are rubber and good. This engine has perimeter bolt valvel covers. It was repowered at some point so maybe that's why. I know GM went to center bolt valve covers right around this time, maybe OMC continued to use the older perimeter style heads until they ran out. Pulled the riser and got the last bolt in. Going to go see if my local guy has the riser gasket since it tore as expected when I pulled the riser from the manifold.

Good news is I got a peek in the starboard manifold and riser and they look like they're in decent shape.

Thanks.

 

[Lou C]

The OE on these was the center bolt valve cover, so what they replaced it with may have been an older engine or older heads.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall_Alt]

Thanks Guys. Yeah I wish they were center bolt covers I'm reluctant to remove anything on this old boat that I don't have to. Let sleeping dogs lie, etc.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall_Alt]

Of course now I'm wondering how the rocker got loose, hoping the stud isn't pulling out of the head. Cranked it over with the cover off and the rocker moves just as much as all the others, at least nothing obvious with the naked eye. Guess I'll see if it loosens up again. .

 

[Scott Danforth]

If they are pressed in rocker studs, they could be pulling out

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Replying with my main account since I was able to recover it.