Triumphrat

Wooly · 08-31-2005

hey RAT peeps,

Bought a chrome cam cover on ebay a while back and now I'm ready to install it while the weather is a bit too hostile for riding.

Removed the retaining bolts on the stock cover and noted that the rubber washers under them appear to be glued down, hmm, I thinks, probably destroy them by prying them up, so cut some new ones from a piece of neoprene rubber sheet - no problems.

Now I'm wondering whether when I lift the cover off if I am going to find that the sealing gasket is also glued into the old cover, so before I remove it can someone who has replaced the old cover with a chrome one verify if the gasket is loose or stuck down?
If it's glued in I'll probably need to find a new one - yes?

I also note that the cover is hanging on pretty tightly, is it just a matter of giving it a biff with a rawhide hammer to break the seal?

Thanks all.

Phil.

Brooksie · 08-31-2005

Wooly-take it to the Triumph dealer/shop and have them do it. Unless you have the maintenance manual (great investment) and know the torque specs, be very careful. The manual and a good torque wrench may be a great future investment for doing small adjustments in the future, and even engine work. I know how long it takes to get even the smallest jobs done at the dealer, since there are so few of them.

ssjones · 08-31-2005

If you want to do it yourself, definitely check the torque specs as Brooksie suggests. They are pretty low.
I didn't find any of my seals adhered with any adhesive. My rubber bolt bushings came right up. It took a little work to get the cam cover off. I used a rubber mallet to LIGHTLY tap around and after a while, it broke loose.
I zip-tied all of my cables up and out of the way. The new cover goes in most easily from the right. I tried using some gasket sealer to adhere the OEM gasket (came out with no damage, yours should as well) to the top of the new chrome cover, but that didn't work too well. It kept falling out during the manuvering process. I finally just put it down on top of the head, and put the cover over and tightened down. Haven't had a leak in one season of riding. When I do it again for valve clearance adjustment, I'll use some gasket sealer to keep the gasket on the head.

TBAbob · 08-31-2005

Wooley,

I've taken several cam covers off including my own 5-6 times! I've never seen adhesive on the gasket from the factory. It sticks a bit just from the heat. Try just putting your hands on either side of the cover and wiggling back and forth. You should feel the gasket start to let go and slowly peel away If neccessary tap one corner with a plastic hammer or use a block of wood with a regular hammer to get the process started. It's really pretty easy!

I actually put a few dabs of silicone on the gasket when I re-install it. I really helps to hold it in place as it's a very tight fit on the America getting it under the frame. On the America, you have to unbolt several electrical items, unclamp the wiring harness from the bottom of the frame rail and move them out of the way to have enough clearance to get the cover off or on. It no big deal though. With the std. Bonnie like yours, it may not be necessary. You might have more room.

On a scale of 1 to 5 wrenches, this is a 1 wrench job.

Cogito ergo equito

Bob

GaryD · 08-31-2005

Gasket is a big O ring that is loose and can be tedious to get back in place properly.

faffyface · 08-31-2005

wooly,

i thought mine was stuck too, but found a nice way to remove it and put the new one on keeping the gasket in place.

i hit my cam cover gently a few times with a rubber mallet and it frees up. the gasket fits in a groove on the cam cover. to keep it in place while putting the new cover on, i put a few pieces of masking tape around the edges that hold the gasket in place and stil to the outside of the cover. then once bolted down remove the tape.

it was a simple job even for a non mechanic like me.

RedBird · 08-31-2005

My gasket was glued into the valve cover with a grey silicone based adhesive. There was also evidence of some of the same adhesive on the head surface. It was a little work cleaning the glue out of the valve cover (I had mine powder coated), but the gasket came out OK and I used it on the loaner valve cover while mine was being powder coated. The bolt gaskets didn't do as well as the O-ring gasket. I replaced them when I put my powder coated cover back on. I believe they are rubber bonded to metal if my memory :-D is correct.
Larry

TexasT100 · 08-31-2005

Be SURE to use a small torque wrench and be careful not to over-torque the 4 bolts on re-assembly. If you strip them you will need to remove the stripped part (gotta get Torx drivers) and apply a Keensert or helicoil.

Don't axe me how I know..

Wooly · 09-04-2005

And the job is done - all very simple really, took about 3/4 hour.

Thanks to all for your help, the gasket was actually glued in place but with a very low impact adhesive, so it peeled away quite easily.

The tip about holding the gasket in place with masking tape is really worthwhile for anyone thinking of replacing the cover.

CAPTDON · 09-04-2005

Dealer put on my chrome casings when new & yesa there is some kind of adhesive on it Will find how hard ar 8k mi Not too worried Looks like plenty of room to work The chrome on the all Black Bonne is head turning The chrome is abit more time consuming vs the orig powder coat which is a wash off & WD40 to new The chrome shows every puddle you went thru! Still love it!! Capt D