1st valve cover gasket replacement job done!

[EBOLA6]

Just wanted to say that I did my first vcg job and it went more than well! I was able to complete the whole job in about 6 1/2 hours. There are no oil leaks, engine has its power back, no smoke ever came out of exhaust, yahoo!

I want to thank Scott for the OUTSTANDING instructions he sent me on how to do this.

For those of you who are considering doing this but may be a bit hesitant...make like a shoe and just do it! Here are some tips I want to include that should help the lay person out...

-use tape and sharpie to label each hose/wire you disconnected and the part it came from

-radiator petcock valve (white in color) "almost" comes completely off before the fluid starts to flow

-use "a little bit" of gasket adhesion to hold gasket onto valve cover(especially for rear cover)

-after completing job, run car for a few minutes, then be sure to check for hose leaks. I forgot to tighten one radiator hose clamp and she leaked, but i was able to catch it!

Otherwise, Scott pretty much covered the everything you need to know! Good luck!

 

[SHOguy 92]

where can i get these instructions from which scott? how bad was your oil leak before replacing these???

 

[Rockledge]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear everything went smoothly.

 

[WakaShoMan]

EBOLA6:
Just wanted to say that I did my first vcg job and it went more than well! I was able to complete the whole job in about 6 1/2 hours. There are no oil leaks, engine has its power back, no smoke ever came out of exhaust, yahoo!

Otherwise, Scott pretty much covered the everything you need to know! Good luck!

How would a valve cover gasket job affect engine power or oil in the exhaust?

 

[SHOguy 92]

heres how. oil burning. all i know is my front plugs are sitting in about 1 inch of oil each so oil gets through and its really burning. so whos scott and where do i get the instructions?

 

[projectSHO89]

SHOguy11:
heres how. oil burning. all i know is my front plugs are sitting in about 1 inch of oil each so oil gets through and its really burning. so whos scott and where do i get the instructions?

Plugs sitting in oil will not cause the oil to get into the cylinder and be burned unless the plug is unscrewed.

However, the oil-soaked plugs are likely to misfire and cause a power loss. Cleaning the plugs and wires might help, new plugs and wires definitely would.

"Scott" is Scott Patterson. He has written procedures that have been helpful to many SHOForum members and has been gracious enough to share them with anyone who asks or has indicated a need for them. He is here on the forum regularly under the nick sdpatt, user # 51.

Steve

 

[Rob94]

SHOguy11:
so whos scott and where do i get the instructions?

The single most helpful person on this forum. A god. The messiah. I think you get the picture. If you have a question...ANY question...he is THE MAN!!

 

[EBOLA6]

OK...i had about an inch of oil in two of the three plug wells in the back that are hard to reach. The plug wires got to the point where it looked like a small animal was chewing on the ends that connect to the plug (think due to arching). Basically, i think i was running on 4 cylinders.

Scott, as mentioned by projectsho and rob94, he is the man. He allowed a slightly mechanically inclined person perform like a true mechanic. To see the "huge" intake manifold off, cams exposed, then put back together to run like a champ made my week!

As for smoke in the exhaust, it would happen if the plug was loose and oil sifted past. However, it could also happen when there's oil in the wells, and you remove the plug. That's why Scott emphasizes doing a good job on removing ALL oil/debris.

 

[SHOguy 92]

oh yeah sdpatt i know him *bows* lol just about any help i ever needed he knew what it was *bows once more* lol

 

[sdpatt]

If you would like a procedure, gapping worksheet and parts info, send an email to the address in my profile. It is easier for me to send it to several at once rather than one at a time. I have been a little out of touch the last two weeks since the birth of my second daughter (she is in my left arm now as I type with mmy right hand).

 

[fordfreak]

Since this has become the Scott praise thread *cough*thread hyjack*cough* Scott Have you ever thought of posting your wonderous knowlage on you own SHO site? Would be easier to point people there then email them all
just a suggestion

 

[sdpatt]

And it is an excellent suggestion. That has been suggested before by other SHO friends and I thought it was a good idea then too. At this time I do not have a web page. Ironic, since I am a software engineer. There had always been other things to do with my time that were more fun or interesting than html'ing a web site. One SHO friend has offered to host the documents on his SHO site. I agreed with his suggestion, but have yet to follow through on the idea. One of the concerns was the ability to update the documents as necessary.

Having a newborn child at home (2 weeks old) along with a very active 2 yr. 9 mo. old daughter seems to consume all of my spare time at the moment. I will keep it in mind. Thanks for the suggestion.