Clip replacement - plug wires/ cam covers | FerrariChat

Clip replacement - plug wires/ cam covers

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by vincenzo, Nov 28, 2018.

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  1. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
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    #1 vincenzo, Nov 28, 2018
    After a bit of drilling, the old plastic clip came out of the valve cover.... no problem.

    The replacement clip’s post fits in the cam cover’s hole just fine. Then, a pin is driven down the clip’s hollow post to expand it securely into the cam cover.

    ...or so I thought.

    The first try broke the clip. It seems as though the driven pin is way too large of an OD for the clip. Trying to drive the pin just shattered the clip.

    Can anybody shed some light on the proper technique for mounting these clips into the cam covers?

    Thanks in advance!
    Vincenzo



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  2. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    #2 ago car nut, Nov 28, 2018
    It has been so long. But I don't remember driving a pin in. I believe (memory not so good) they just pressed in!
     
  3. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #3 ferrarioldman, Nov 28, 2018
    I lub the pins and holes with silicone grease and use an over size punch.
     
  4. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

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    #4 vincenzo, Nov 28, 2018
    Do you often, or rarely break a clip when you use silicon?

    Would a press be less likely to shatter the clip vs punch and hammer?

    I bought a spare and would hate to break it - don’t want to have another shipping delay!
     
  5. todd6363

    todd6363 Formula Junior

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    #5 todd6363, Nov 29, 2018
    vincenzo likes this.
  6. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

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    #6 vincenzo, Dec 3, 2018
    Just a follow-up.

    I carefully chamfered the pin, used silglyde and used a press to ensure a straight drive. No luck. More pressure would have split the clip.

    Plan B:
    Toss the pin in the trash, and secure the clip with a slight bit of isocyanate glue. Problem solved.

    Note that with a pinned clip, the clip must be drilled out.... so drilling out a clip secured by glue is a non issue.

    Cheers,
    Vincenzo

    BTW: Todd, that pic looks great! What did you use to polish your headers?
     
  7. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    #7 tbakowsky, Dec 3, 2018
    Those pins do not fit as designed. After busting a few, I sand or file them down to fit.
     
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  8. todd6363

    todd6363 Formula Junior

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    #8 todd6363, Dec 5, 2018
  9. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #9 turbo-joe, Dec 5, 2018
    looks great
    like polished
     
  10. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #10 ferrarioldman, Dec 11, 2018
    Very rare that I break one.
     
  11. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    #11 Motob, Dec 12, 2018
    I find that trying to install the clips with the cam covers in place in an exercise in frustration, as it it extremely difficult to get a good shot straight shot on the pin with a punch/hammer. I usually only replace the clips during a belt service with the cam covers on the bench. Also putting a bevel on the end of the pin helps get the pin started, and then a lot of force is needed to drive the pin in flush.
    All of the remnants of the old pin and clip must be removed from the bore of the hole in the cam cover in order to get the pin to drive in flush. I haven't tried it, but if I were replacing the clips with the cam cover installed, I would machine the pin down to such a diameter that it went in with less force. It doesn't take much to hold the clips in place. I have never seen them pull out of the cam cover. They just break when installing plug wires due to the fact that they get brittle with heat and age.
    They should be replaced every time the cam covers are off.
     
  12. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

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    #12 vincenzo, Dec 13, 2018
    ...but a drop of superglue is so much less frustration. No visual change. Either way (pin or glue) they need to be drilled out.
     
  13. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #13 turbo-joe, Dec 13, 2018
    until now I not found good superglue what is heat resistant. better use silicone or the glue for windshields ( sorry, don´t know the english word :( )
     
  14. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #14 ferrarioldman, Dec 13, 2018
    Those holes are actually threaded so if the plastic clip is not brittle they can be "screwed" out. Otherwise you are correct that you have to drill them out.
     
  15. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

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    #15 vincenzo, Dec 13, 2018
    no threads in my ‘90.

    Good points on thermal strength retention.
    Very little data published (that I found). This info claims that strength degradation starts at about 100C. This is ‘about’ the max temp these valve covers should see since the inner aluminum is only splashed with oil and the aluminum rapidly dissipates the heat.

    If they do come loose - going back in with an epoxy seems like a good idea.

    If they do loosen with heat - I’ll follow up.
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  16. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

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    #16 vincenzo, Dec 13, 2018
  17. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

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    #17 turbo-joe, Dec 14, 2018
    could work fine, but if the clip will break it is hard to get the rest out again, so silicone is easier to remove I think
    in my 87 there are also no threads
     

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