Is it hard to change valve cover gaskets?

[designie]

I'm going to do a spark plug and wire change due to my other problem, and I have alot of oil leaking into the plug wells so I figured I would replace the cover gaskets so I can seal the spark plug wells. How tough is it to get the valve covers off? I'm sure a couple of you have gone through this before.

Thanks!

 

[fricker66]

Not too difficult to do. Once the intake manifold is removed, access to the covers is pretty decent. Just watch the amount of torque on the bolts when installing the covers back on.

Do some searches and you should be able to find a good detailed write up on this process.

While they are off, are you thinking about doing a valve shim adjustment?

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

designie, it is not hard at all! if you have any mechanical experience whatsoever (and even if you dont) you can do it!

there are a ton of good threads here on how to remove the intake and the valve covers. i also recommend you get the book for the car. helms is the best way to go. chiltons is horrible. just be sure to clean those wells out good before removing the plugs so no oil goes down in the cylinder.

i recommend a 3/8" ratchet with a short extension and a deep socket (if i recall its 12mm for the intake manifold bolts). you will want a torque wrench if you feel uncomfortable guesstimating how much to torque the manifold bolts back in. you will also need an alan socket set for the valve covers and lots of PB blaster (the valve cover bolts tend to stick).

the gaskets are very easy to do. you will find the rear bank a tad challenging to get it on and not have the gasket roll out, but with a little patience it can be done quickly.

if you need more detailed info let us know, but pulling the throttle body off and getting the manifold off is pretty straight forward. the valve covers will be easy when you get that much done. good luck!

 

[shobikes]

Be sure and practice a little deep-breathing relaxation before installing the rear. It is a PITA. If yours is an ATX, it will be slightly easier. There is a bundle of wires back there that I'm pretty sure are connected directly to ****, and they will make your task nigh impossible to complete. Once you get the cover back on, and BEFORE torquing it down, take a flashlight and a mechanic's mirror and check that the gasket is truly in place adjacent to said wire loom. I didn't do this, and ended up having to remove the intake and re-do the job at 3a.m., so that I could drive the car home.

Oh and don't overtorque those valve cover bolts - there's nothing else like them. It's not a hard job - just mentally and emotionally challenging.

 

[SonicRiot]

I'm next. Valve cover/plug gaskets. Now... is the shim job hard to do? What is the reccommend milage to do this? How about 91.5k?

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

the shim job is not hard. i HIGHLY recommend the video shonut.com has before you tear anything open though. awesome instructional video. i did the shim job with NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE messing with camshafts. started in the morning and was done before dinner with teardown, decarboning the intake, shims and reassembly. the first interval is 60k miles, then 120k. if you know its never been done to the car then by all means, do it now while you have it apart. just make sure you set aside adequate time to work slow. you can do it. just be meticulous and careful. good luck!

<small>[ February 11, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: BlackOnBlackATX ]</small>

 

[ghostrider]

And COVER THOSE INTAKE HOLES!!!!! I nearly lost one of those metal rings that go around the holes for the valve cover bolts. Nearly had a heart attack! Luckily I was able to grab a magnet on a screw driver and lift it out.

 

[jelloslug]

And if you are doing the valve shims plug the oil return holes in the head while you work. Drop somthing down there and it goes directly into the oil pan. eek!

 

[SonicRiot]

Thanks for the inform.

BTW, here's an off topic... Jelloslug: You have the nicest, restored SHO interior I have ever seen! hail Wish mine was that nice! Serious props! thumb

 

[sdpatt]

Want my detailed procedure? Got an email address?

 

[billyshoe]

yes