Lifter Valley Cover Replacement

cstraiton · 11-06-2009, 10:17 PM

How hard is it to replace the lifter valley cover? From just looking at it, looks like you need to take the intake off to get to it. Someone told me that you would have to drain the coolant system to take the intake off. Does this sound right? I have average mechanical skills, but minimal tools and a very low budget. If I was to take it to a mechanic and have them do it instead of attempting it myself, what would be a good guess as to how much they might charge for this? Thanks for the help guy's.

Shaddix · 11-09-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cstraiton

How hard is it to replace the lifter valley cover? From just looking at it, looks like you need to take the intake off to get to it. Someone told me that you would have to drain the coolant system to take the intake off. Does this sound right? I have average mechanical skills, but minimal tools and a very low budget. If I was to take it to a mechanic and have them do it instead of attempting it myself, what would be a good guess as to how much they might charge for this? Thanks for the help guy's.

You already said you are an average mechanic, and even a below average guy can work on these dukes! Draining the coolant system is SOOOO EASY and it costs you $8 for a gallon of antifreeze to ensure your truck will have fresh coolant for winter. I doubt any mechanic would complain about this!

Just start taking stuff off! It all goes back on, its all dead simple to see/work with. Move whatevers in the way! Taking to a mechanic isnt going to teach you how to do this stuff. I bet with a good radio station and tool set, it can be done easily in a couple hours =)

cstraiton · 11-09-2009, 03:45 PM

Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering about the coolant system drain. I just didn't see the reason why you would have to drain the antifreeze to remove the intake. Does the coolant actually circulate through the intake? I'm pretty sure I will attempt this myself. I'm just having a hard time finding a replacement cover. The old one is cracked from what I assume was over tightening by the person who last installed it.

lesterl · 11-09-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cstraiton

Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering about the coolant system drain. I just didn't see the reason why you would have to drain the antifreeze to remove the intake. Does the coolant actually circulate through the intake? I'm pretty sure I will attempt this myself. I'm just having a hard time finding a replacement cover. The old one is cracked from what I assume was over tightening by the person who last installed it.

YES, look where your heater hoses go.

litebulbwithfiero · 11-11-2009, 12:44 AM

Cracked? Isn't it just a piece of stamped steel?

cstraiton · 11-11-2009, 12:47 AM

It is just a piece of stamped steel. The thing that has me worried is what might have cracked it. I'm hoping it's not a rod or a lifter that broke and cracked it. Hopefully I'll have a chance this weekend to tear into it and investigate further.

11-06-2009, 10:17 PM	#1
cstraiton Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Location: User is: OffLine	Lifter Valley Cover Replacement How hard is it to replace the lifter valley cover? From just looking at it, looks like you need to take the intake off to get to it. Someone told me that you would have to drain the coolant system to take the intake off. Does this sound right? I have average mechanical skills, but minimal tools and a very low budget. If I was to take it to a mechanic and have them do it instead of attempting it myself, what would be a good guess as to how much they might charge for this? Thanks for the help guy's.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 03:30 PM	#2
Shaddix Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 148 Location: Astoria, Oregon User is: OffLine	Re: Lifter Valley Cover Replacement Quote: Originally Posted by cstraiton How hard is it to replace the lifter valley cover? From just looking at it, looks like you need to take the intake off to get to it. Someone told me that you would have to drain the coolant system to take the intake off. Does this sound right? I have average mechanical skills, but minimal tools and a very low budget. If I was to take it to a mechanic and have them do it instead of attempting it myself, what would be a good guess as to how much they might charge for this? Thanks for the help guy's. You already said you are an average mechanic, and even a below average guy can work on these dukes! Draining the coolant system is SOOOO EASY and it costs you $8 for a gallon of antifreeze to ensure your truck will have fresh coolant for winter. I doubt any mechanic would complain about this! Just start taking stuff off! It all goes back on, its all dead simple to see/work with. Move whatevers in the way! Taking to a mechanic isnt going to teach you how to do this stuff. I bet with a good radio station and tool set, it can be done easily in a couple hours =)
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 03:45 PM	#3
cstraiton Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Lifter Valley Cover Replacement Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering about the coolant system drain. I just didn't see the reason why you would have to drain the antifreeze to remove the intake. Does the coolant actually circulate through the intake? I'm pretty sure I will attempt this myself. I'm just having a hard time finding a replacement cover. The old one is cracked from what I assume was over tightening by the person who last installed it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-09-2009, 11:34 PM	#4
lesterl Wire Splicin Fool :-) Age: 30 Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4,409 Location: Harrisonville, MO User is: Online	Re: Lifter Valley Cover Replacement Quote: Originally Posted by cstraiton Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering about the coolant system drain. I just didn't see the reason why you would have to drain the antifreeze to remove the intake. Does the coolant actually circulate through the intake? I'm pretty sure I will attempt this myself. I'm just having a hard time finding a replacement cover. The old one is cracked from what I assume was over tightening by the person who last installed it. YES, look where your heater hoses go.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-11-2009, 12:44 AM	#5
litebulbwithfiero Registered User Age: 19 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 24 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Lifter Valley Cover Replacement Cracked? Isn't it just a piece of stamped steel?
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11-11-2009, 12:47 AM	#6
cstraiton Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Lifter Valley Cover Replacement It is just a piece of stamped steel. The thing that has me worried is what might have cracked it. I'm hoping it's not a rod or a lifter that broke and cracked it. Hopefully I'll have a chance this weekend to tear into it and investigate further.
	[Reply w/Quote]