Splitting the IM on an '89 100q

[Huw Powell]

> I am tired of the simmering oil smell and getting
> ready to replace the valve cover gasket on my '89 100q
> and seek some collective wisdom. This car has the NF
> engine with an intake manifold that wraps around to
> the top of the engine, covering the valve cover, but
> contains a horizontal split.
> 
> I'm thinking that I can just split the top half off
> the IM on my NF engine and then remove the valve cover
> to do the gasket. Is this right?

that is correct.

> 
> In anticipation of this, I tried my 6mm hex key in a
> couple of the bolts and was not rewarded with a warm
> feeling about their removal. In each case, they were
> very reluctant to turn, but finally there was a small
> sharp pop with the wrench just barely moving. From
> this point, the same amount of pressure will not move
> it further and I don't care to try to apply more
> torque at this time. If the torque is applied in the
> tightening direction, the initial small loosening
> motion can be undone. This was all done on a cold
> engine.
> 
> Is there some trick or magic elixir that must be
> applied.

maybe the bolt tips are protruding underneath and corroded - any
loosening then jams the corrosion into the threads and stops motion.

try the usual suspects for corrosion removal/loosening - WD40, CRC
stuff, ammonia, wire brushing, etc.  Oh, and heat I suppose.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com

http://www.humanthoughts.org