The passenger side valve cover is a PITA to reinstall.. I already removed most AIR hoses except for that metal tube. I got the heater control valve and hoses held out of the way. The only things still left in the way are the wiring harness (rather not remove that), the transmission dipstick, that metal AIR tube, and that bracket that is bolted down under the distributor cap & rotor.

I even removed the A/C compressor, hoping I could get a better angle that way. It did give me a better angle and more space, but the valve cover is still getting stuck on something towards the firewall. I think the hole for the last screw near the breather hole is getting stuck on the edges of the rocker arm, and I don't have enough space to move it up because the metal AIR tube is in the way.

It's funny because it was easy to remove the valve cover. Just took a little wiggling. But reinstalling it is a pain.

I'm about ready to just get rid of all my smog, A/C, and heater stuff, and just pay extra for smog.

 

No need to take of the A/C compressor, it does not interfere and will gain you nothring. The problem IS that air tube, The valve cover has to lay down flat without fumbling, or else the gasket will lose it's position and will leak. The trick to that air tube is that it's a 2-man job. One guy sticks a large flat bladed screwdriver in the tube and bends it UP, and the other guys drops the valve cover easily onto the head. After you release it, the tube will spring most of the way back where it was and will need a minor adjustment to get it back to where it was.

Actually now that I remember, I think the ignition coil bracket also has to be removed in order to get a good shot at the valve cover.

 

Thanks. That makes sense. Now I just need to find someone to help me.. and you know how friends are when you really need them.

That makes sense why I was able to wiggle it off, since the valve cover pries the AIR tube for you.

I think I bent that ignition bracket enough so that it's not in the way anymore. But just in case, how do I remove it? I removed the one bolt and it wasn't coming out, even after I pried at it and tapped it. Do I need to remove the other bracket that's on the other side? To do that, I think I need to take off the cap to get to the bolt.

 

Well I got the valve cover on!! Thanks!! Just had to pry the AIR tube. I didn't need two people because it ended up being a lot easier than I thought to pry the tube.

Only problem is now that I bent that ignition bracket, I can't get the bolt back in. I can see where the two holes don't line up perfectly, but it's hard to line them up because you can't see it. Might have to take off the cap, but hopefully I won't have to.

 

It's a little late, but sometimes just removing the check valve on the end on the AIR tube will provide enough room.