PCM 351 Rocker cover bolt access
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42286
Printed Date: April-18-2024 at 12:11pm
Topic: PCM 351 Rocker cover bolt access
Posted By: Ngokhale
Subject: PCM 351 Rocker cover bolt access
Date Posted: January-06-2018 at 8:59am
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Hi All, Looking for some advice please. Have a 1993 Nautique, with a PCM 351 engine. Sounds like I have a problem with a hydraulic valve lifter, so need to get the rocker cover off. The central lower fixing bolt is obscured by the exhaust manifold, and seems inaccessible. Can anyone offer advice on how to remove ( and replace) this bolt please. Many thanks. Neil G |
Replies:
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: January-06-2018 at 10:30am
If you took the exhaust manifold off it would be plenty easy to get to it  Otherwise the right combination of a 1/4 inch drive socket set, long extensions, universal joints, flexible extensions and maybe a little aggravation and swearing will work.. This is from an old post by Shep72 %5bQUOTE=Shep72" rel="nofollow - On my 94' I removed my Valve covers with a 1/4" drive ratchet long extension and universal joint over the socket.. This may help if you tear back into the Valve covers. [/QUOTE - - link |
Posted By: Fl Inboards
Date Posted: January-06-2018 at 1:13pm
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Here at Florida Inboards Inc when servicing rocker covers on PCM Fords we remove the exhaust risers to access the lower fasteners. more then likely the risers need new gaskets any way. ------------- Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise. 1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0 |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: January-06-2018 at 11:03pm
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If it is a lifter problem, you will need to remove the intake manifold too. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: January-08-2018 at 5:57pm
| Getting the valve covers off is the easy part... yes, a 1/4 drive wobble socket works fine, but the trouble is getting the valve covers back on once you investigate the issue. I agree with the others and would suggest removing the exhaust manifold is going to be the most efficient method. That said, I have done it without taking the EM off, but the valve cover gaskets always leaked afterwards |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: January-08-2018 at 6:04pm
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Removing the riser only as Fl Inboards advise sounds like the easiest option to me. ------------- |
Posted By: gun-driver
Date Posted: January-09-2018 at 10:36pm
Sounds easy till you snap the bolts, 
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MrMcD wrote:Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: January-10-2018 at 3:27am
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Which can happen just as easy with the Exhaust manifold bolts in my experience. One of my exhaust manifold bolts was rusted solid to the exhaust manifold. I would rather deal with the upper bolts where you could drill and re tap them with space to do the job but each to their own. ------------- |
Posted By: Fl Inboards
Date Posted: January-10-2018 at 11:34am
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Gun Driver, Yea it can be a can of worms sometimes but you are talking about 20 plus year old boats that may or may have not been regularly serviced. Boat, "Acronym" ! Bust Out Another Thousand! 351 PCM engines one can get away with wobbling in a socket to remove the tappet covers , there is barely clearance proper reinstall of tappet covers can be difficult. Snapping off the 5/16" long bolts is very common with these risers even in reasonably new PCM engines. It is part of life in our world. I probably extract 30 or so broken fasteners a year out of different components revolving around Exhaust systems, When reassembly utilize a high temp anti seize on those 5/16" riser bolts and utilize quality OEM gaskets by PCM. Remember! For one time usage Harbor Frieght tools is your friend! ------------- Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise. 1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: January-10-2018 at 9:54pm
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I really don't see any advantage to removing just the riser. The manifold body is still in the way of getting any kind of straight shot at the bolt head. You still need the same assortment of extensions, u joints, wobble sockets, aggravation and swearing as you'd use if you left the riser installed |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: January-10-2018 at 10:23pm
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Chances are the X manifolds need cleanup & new gaskets anyway. The OP hasn't posted again - maybe he decided the tick isn't worth fixing. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |