Rocker Cover Repaint

[epipete]

I'm planning a repaint of my Rocker Cover and would appreciate some advice to a rather mundane query:

Firstly, there is a pipe on the rear right hand side of the cover which connects to the Oil Separator, on the cover that I have this pipe, albeit tight, will revolve. Should it, it doesn't seem to unscrew? I'm assuming it carries a gas from the engine which may be infused with oil which is then trapped by the Seperator.

Secondly, if anyone has repainted their cover did they remove this pipe or paint it insitu along with the cover?

Thanks

Pete

[dapinky]

Pete,

The pipe to the oil seperator should be an interference fit, and shouldn't rotate.

If yours (or is it mine ) rotates, then i'd put a dab of epoxy glue around the join to fix it.

When I've painted the covers in the past I've just cleaned the pipe with wire wool (or sandpaper, scotchbrite or whatever else is handy), wrapped it in masking tape, except for the bit nearest the cover which can still be seen when the pipe is attached, and sprayed away!

[epipete]

Thanks Dave,

It is yours, or maybe I should say was (you can have my current one back later)

I shall get the scrubbing brush out tomorrow and give it all a good clean followed by a blast of paint.

Pete

[muley]

..or pop it in the dishwasher


Jim

[Rob P]

..or pop it in the dishwasher
Jim

Does that actually get all the oily substances off as I'm about to repaint my Rocker cover as well.
has anyone taken the sticky up bits off at either end of this and if so is it just a case of grinding them down?

[Jamie N]

..or pop it in the dishwasher
Jim

Does that actually get all the oily substances off as I'm about to repaint my Rocker cover as well.
has anyone taken the sticky up bits off at either end of this and if so is it just a case of grinding them down?

Use a heavy duty sanding disc on an angle grinder Rob, it lets you see more easily how far down to the level you are, a grinding disc is too harsh if you go too far it will make a mess of the surface, and make sure you have degreased it stupendously well before painting it, you will be amazed how much oil traces remain in all the nooks and crannies.

[dapinky]

One extra point on grinding & sanding the covers - dont let any of the gritty bits get inside the baffle plates (through the oil filler cap etc) - they are a bugger to clean out fully, and it can't be properly done without drilling the rivets out.

Any grinding compound which gets stuck in there is at risk of washing around in the oil until it gets to something where you don't want grinding bits - like the crankshaft.

a small amount of swarf can quickly ruin an engine.



...and yes, you can put it in the dishwasher. (It's how I give my cylinder heads a good clean - but only when Mrs P is out for the day )

[GeoffSmith]

...and yes, you can put it in the dishwasher. (It's how I give my cylinder heads a good clean - but only when Mrs P is out for the day )

Message from Pete: When's Mrs. P next going out for the day, so he can take you up on your most generous offer and come round to use your dishwasher....

[Rob P]

...and yes, you can put it in the dishwasher. (It's how I give my cylinder heads a good clean - but only when Mrs P is out for the day )

Dishwasher currently on high temp with one gunked Rocker cover in place, will see how clean it feels after that

[epipete]

...and yes, you can put it in the dishwasher. (It's how I give my cylinder heads a good clean - but only when Mrs P is out for the day )

Message from Pete: When's Mrs. P next going out for the day, so he can take you up on your most generous offer and come round to use your dishwasher....

Good thinking Geoff, very kind of you Dave.

My Dishwasher is currently in bits on the kitchen floor, looking for a simple fix; but alas, having sat in the garage for nigh on 6yrs with only intermittent running it is kaput! Looks like I need to call the Professionals!!!

Pete

[Faraday]

Pete,
I think Gordon Jackson is no longer with us, not sure about Bodie & Doyle though? Perhaps you should try Calgon?

[Doug]

pictures?

[epipete]

Didn't need the Professionals after all, managed to sort it out, it was a ceased motor.

Having done the Rocker Cover at the highest temp I was surprised at how much crap was still present in the nooks and crannies, now cleaned out with several wire brushes (they tend to disintegrate) on a dremmel.

Didn't clean up the kitchen adequatly and SHMBO went nuts at all the wire swarfe laying around

Now for some sunshine and a HT spray can.

[GeoffSmith]

pictures?

Silver with smoke grey stripes. Just for you...

[tweetdriver63]

You can grind off the "ISUZU-" too while you're at it.

[epipete]

Thread Resurection.

Messing around in my garage I found my beautifully prepped and repainted Rocker Cover, sitting on a shelf and pondered why I never fitted it

Ah, yes, it's because I wasn't sure if the old one just lifts off or foes the timing belt cover need to come off as well, indeed, is a new gasket required.

Simply put - if I undo all the bolts will the existing one just lift away and be simply replaced by my nice freshly painted on?

[maz_r]

Hi Pete,

From memory (which is not reliable btw), you only need to take the top 2 bolts out of the timing belt cover and not that awkward 3rd bolt.

Here is the bit from the manual about refitting the cover; doesn't mention 'renew' the gasket but does say about putting a bead of sealant at various points....

camcover refit.png

I guess it all rather depends upon the state of your existing gasket...

[epipete]

Ooooh, thanks for that, a little job for this bank holiday weekend.

[Giniw]

(As for the Isuzu grinding, I really don't understand why some people do that, there is nothing bad about Isuzu engines, and they have done a good job since it's reliable. My rocker cover has been ground by a previous owner, and I actually bought an original one ... which I still need to fit, one day ... )

[Artaban]

Pete,
Its an easy job and the gasket can be reused without a problem providing its not damaged. However just be a little careful when putting it back together as PNM pinched the gasket at one point resulting in an oil leak that went all over the timing belt so that had to be replaced as well as the gasket. Probably only an hours job max if you are slow and careful, drink coffee, stand back and admire the work etc.
Before and after pic would be nice.
Andy