risaac928

Here are some picture taken from underneath my 1982 928. It looks like my Cam Covers are leaking on my headers. Has anyone taken off and replaced their Cam Covers on a "82" 928. If so, what are my options.

Mike LaBranche

Welcome to 928 ownership. Very common leak from that small plate at the end of the tower. 3 bolts, piece of cake... if you have hands the size of an infant. You can wait until your next tb/wp and pull the cam towers then or try to get in there and replace that gasket in situ. My 84 awaits this fix among others, but my hands just can't get in there. Not much help... other than to commiserate.

F18Rep

Just happen to be dealing with this on my 83 (engine is out). The thing is the bolts were loose, maybe the gasket shrunk a little or the bolts rattled loose - don't know. But you might be able to "get by" temporarily by just snugging them up... just an idea...Bruce

Opelotus

My '84 had the same problem. I pulled the cam towers during my TB/WP job and replaced all gaskets/seals/o-rings while it was out. 3 months later and it is LEAKING AGAIN at the rear of the tower. I used replacement cork gaskets on the rear cam tower caps. I torqued the cam tower bolts to spec, but hand tightened the rear caps as I didn't want to crush the gasket. Is it possible I didn't tighten the caps enough?

EDIT: is that a broken exhaust manifold stud I see in the photos?

tlsmith1999

Call Roger and get some silicon rear cam tower gaskets. I have replaced them on my car in less than an hour. Do not over tighten the bolts as it can damage the gasket and will leak even worst. BTDT

risaac928

Yes, sir that is a broken exhaust manifold stud....I tell you the deeper I dig the dirter my hands get. I brought the car sight unseen from a 2nd owner in Modesto Ca. She had 212k miles on her. I flew from San Antonio Tx, up there to buy car and drive it back home. Tell you what it was an experince of a life time, she brought me home safely. Since I got her, I had to rebuild the Alternator, and currently replaceing the Master Cylinder. I got the car up on jacks waiting for the part to come in. Speaking of which the leak only occuried after the car had been sitting for a month. Because I didnt have the $$ to buy the Master Cylinder ASAP, the car sat while I searched high and low for a used replacement part.

risaac928

Thanks Tim for the suggestion. I am new to the 928 Community, can I get Rogers number or the best way to reach him. You mentioned 2hr job...can you please give me a run down of what is involded. I understand it involes removing and reinstalling TB, etc. My TB only has 10k miles on it...ughh

tlsmith1999

817 430 2688. roger@928sRus.com

You do not need to remove the TB to replace the REAR cam seals, only the front cam seals.

Remove the air filter box.
Remove the three 10mm screws on each plate. This might require small hands/tools, but it wans't that bad.
Clean the plate and surface of all the old gasket.
Install new gasket, re-tighten the bolts.

risaac928

Sounds simple enough....no tourqe wrenching involde..mind you this is the passenger side cam cover. Gezz, I am trying to picture in my head what will happen, its cool that only 3 10mm bolts need to be removed and I can get to that gasket...forgive me if I sound ignorante but are these seals divided into sections....This car amazes me everyday...

risaac928

Tim, as I am looking at that picture that I posted are you refering to those bolts facing the fire wall / nearest where that evaporator would be. If so...nice....so thats where it is leaking from. Well I need to get the kids to school and I need to get to work. If there is anyone that knows who has done this job locally in San Antonio, please direct them my way. Much Thanks for Tim and the 928 Community for there help.

tlsmith1999

The seal is on the end of the tower, not between the tower and block (different seal). It will make more sense when you see the replacement seal. There is a torque value for bolts, but don't remember it right now. But with the silicon gasket, you just want to snug the bolts down, then maybe a half turn more. They are like the silicon oil pan gaskets, if you have done one of them. You might want to replace both driver and passenger gaskets WYAIT.

tlsmith1999

Yup those are the bolts. I think I ended up getting one from the bottom and the rest from the top. I about an hour from SA up 281, and can help if you bring it up here.

risaac928

Now that I have cleaned around the area, I will remove those 3 little bolts and move foward...

risaac928

Everybody, I would like to introduce you to my 82 928, she has 215k miles on her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khmQlnSzbAg

RPetty

Congrats!

Take care of her...