1950s Removing 331 valve cover

[Bob Kielar]

As many of you have known I have had to replace the engine in my 55 Fleetwood.The newly rebuilt engine has had a lifter noise from the start it would go away after a few seconds but now it is taking longer. The mechanic that rebuilt the engine came over to my house and said it's probably a bad lifter and is willing to work at my shop to repair this with my help. My question is can the right valve cover be removed without removing the a/c compressor?
Thanks,
Bob Kielar

[V63]

The valve cover cannot be removed with AC compressor
Mounted.

 But you should be able to unbolt it while maintaining its Freon charge sufficient to remove the cover.

[Bob Kielar]

Thanks for the reply William. So if I loosen the compressor and maybe remove the rear bracket the lines should have enough slack without disconnecting them so I can get the valve cover off?

Regards,
Bob

[V63]

It's dependent, limited to the amount of movement of your compressor with lines attached. I like to use 1"  'ratchet straps' to control the movement.

Unfortunately, it is a lot of 'trial and error'  but I would anticipate enough ability to lift or move the compressor the few inches required.

Best Maybe use an engine hoist?  or

Possibly use 2 ladders? To facilitate a 2 x 4 or pipe horizontal across the open hood opening above the compressor assembly to lift and hold the compressor.

I think I'd rather remove the hood if necessary than lose the AC charge.  But that's a personal choice of cost vs benefit.

Sorry about 'Murphy's law' and (of coarse) the problem child is always on the more difficult side 🤦🏻�♂️

[Caddy Wizard]

You will be able to unbolt the compressor from the brackets and lay the compressor over against the inner fender and then remove the bracketry.


If that doesn't work, close the valves at the point where the lines attach to the compressor.  Then you can remove the lines and only lose a little refrigerant in the compressor.  All of the refrigerant in the lines, the evaporator, and the condenser will remain intact.