Difficulty of removing the valve covers

[l0nestar]

I'm considering removing my valve covers and painting them before I install my motor this weekend. How difficult is it / would it be to remove them? I already have the coils + cover + cam cover + exhaust manifold removed. Is there anything that I should be wary of? Any caveats to avoid? I know the grommets can be a pain. Anything to add to Pages EN-118 + 119 in the R33 FSM?

My plan is to remove them, de-grease with Brake cleaner, possibly strip, then prime and paint. Have 24-48 hours for drying / curing before re-installation.

Thanks.

Do I need to remove the throttle-body / upper plenum? Oh, this is for the R33 RB25 also.
Modified by l0nestar at 8:06 AM 4/4/2007

[Shocker]

easy, just remove all the screws, use some pressure and off they pop.

[l0nestar]

Awesome, thanks. Again, what about the throttle-body? I have not been out back to my garage to verify yet, just woke up thinking about it.

[Shocker]

TB? nothing to it, pop off the vac lines, then push out the throttle cable and 4 bolts.

[Kansei240sx]

Exhaust manifold? Why did you pull that?

[l0nestar]

I pulled it like 2 months ago after I got my engine on a stand because I had 2 broken studs. And then i found out that I had a 'bad' crank collar which lead to purchasing a few more parts (N1 oil, OEM water pump, GReddy timing belt, crank collar, crank and con-rod bearings). Now everything is buttoned back up ready to go, but I'm thinking of painting the engine components while I have the time.. hence this thread.

[Darius]

You don't have to remove the TB to get the intake side valve cover off. You can tilt it to squeeze it out without scraping paint.

One side note, when you are reinstalling MAKE SURE YOU RTV THE REAR RUBBER CAPS. In fact, pull them out, tear all the old RTV off and lay a 6mm bead across the head recess and then across the top of the plug where it meets the valve cover. That way, you don't have oil leaking and you scratching your head on where it's coming from.

On a second side note, be sure of the paint you are getting. I got mine done a year and a half ago and 700 miles later the paint is starting to bubble up. I'm going to take it back and ***** about it and hope they'll give me my money back. I think it was straight automotive paint.

[l0nestar]

Well, as you (Darius) probably know the weather dropped about 30-40 degrees in the last 24 hours, so painting may not be such a good idea (it is right around freezing here ~0c) So I may just fore-go the painting if Boostd3 ever sends me my freaking clutch so I can install my engine + trans! (and it gets a little bit warmer here.. )