98 T5 cam cover install being tough

[jm1607]

I'm trying to put the cam cover on (not the plastic valve cover) and it's going down pretty hard.. I've watched a few DIY videos and they say to either use clamps to clamp it down then put the bolts in or just slowly put the bolts in.. either way should compress the valves right?

I haven't tried to just screw the bolts in yet, but I tried using some heavy duty c-clamps and I can get one side or the other down, but then the other side pops up and is too hard to get down even with c-clamps.. I'm kind of scared to just start putting the bolts in since it's aluminum..

Not sure why my valve springs are being so stiff? I think some in the middle are really stiff which is why I can get one side down or the other?

Any suggestions? Should I just start screwing in bolts and man it on there lol, or should I buy one of those compressor tools that screw into your spark plug holes?

[Ozark Lee]

Using the bolts to draw it down is OK so long as you keep alternating. I use the torque chart order and give them a turn and move on the to the next one. Repeat until it is drawn down making sure it doesn't bind.

The official way is to use special tools that screw into the spark plug holes.

...Lee