Ive tried searching is there a diy for removing the valve cover. i want to get it powder coated but i dont want to just take the cover off without being positive on what to do. Or if anyone could just give some quick pointers. thanks

 

I VHT wrinkle red coated my VC on my sentra SR20 and It looks sooo nice. But Powder coating is really nice too. I belive there is a new sponser on the forum here too. The first thing you wanna do is remove the VC and cover the head so nothing falls/crawls in. Then remove anything from the VC like the PCV and anything plastic or rubber. Id suggest that spray on aircraft stripper and a soft scotchbrite pad to remove the factory finish. Then clean it up with some alcahol. Then it should be ready for its new finsih.

 

^^ I second that. I painted my own with a rattle can (and it turned out great).

Other than the above, just make sure its degreased really well and you shouldnt have any problems.

 

i just cant seem to get the back of the valve cover off the head

 

It just takes a little twisting to putt it off. Comes right off though once everything is disconnected.
Just look back there and what is blocking it from pulling off and move it around to it can come out. Gotta pull the sensors off the back or whatever they are to be able to get off if I remember correctly. Been a while since I pulled mine off.

 

mine was stuck on with some unbelievable force, took me forever to wiggle it loose and prying it up by hand. Make sure you take all of the retainers off first, they are on very tight and it will never lift off with them in place, just pop them off with a small screwdriver once you remove the screws. Remove the TDC sensor at the rear to give you a bit more room to wiggle it out.

 

Yeah, remove the TDC sensors and the rubber retainers where the valve cover bolts go. Also loosen up the wire loom that passes near the back of the valve cover to give you enough room to remove the valve cover.

 

 

Ya the wire in the back wont allow me to lift it up high enough but with some moving of things i should be able to get it done. BTW whats a resonable price for get a valve cover powdercoated?

 

45-80 or so for the job usually. Price depends on the finish you want to get. If you need someone good and don't mind shipping it depending where you live. TRG Coatings in NJ is really good. They offer a core exchange program as well so you won't have down time with your car. He is also on this forum under that name I believe. I have gotten my valve cover done candy apple red by him as well as my wheels in gun metal and both jobs were excellent.
Make sure you buy new spark plug seal gaskets when replacing the valve cover. You can usually get away with reusing the valve cover gasket part if you remove it without breaking but doesn't hurt to replace that as well.