Oil in the spark plug wells :(

[bmcreider]

**** loads of oil to be precise. I didn't get to look at the wells nearest to the firewall but all 3 in front had enough oil to soak the entire plug and under the boot of the wire to where it was dripping when I pulled each one out...

I cleaned it up as best I could and put it back together...

But how much is a valve cover gasket set at like Autozone...and how much are plugs, and should I just keep the wires I got now, rip the wires off my 89 parts car (those valve cover gaskets are still good so those wires are bone dry) or buy new wires for I dunno how much?

And how long should it take to change out the gaskets? Can I do it in one day?

 

[SHO M0nk3y]

You can easily do it in a day. I suggest to get the FelPro Valve Cover Gasket set (Part #: VS50378R). But if you want to use used ones I guess thats alright as long as there in good shape. I had the same problem and I replaced both the plug wires and plugs themselfs. I hope this helps, Good Luck .

 

[bmcreider]

Ok well I'm going to see if I can find prices for the gaskets, plugs and wires from autozone.

 

[AutoSHO]

I would recommend getting most of the parts you need at http://www.rockauto.com/

Plug wires, AC Delco, $34.
Plugs, NGK Platinum, $2.14/each
Valve cover gasket set, VS50378R, $81.79 - This can be had cheaper from autozone ($71.99).

 

[DHMag]

Valve cover gasket set, VS50378R, $81.79 - This can be had cheaper from autozone ($71.99).

keep in mind, you can only order the valve cover gasket online. you can not buy it at any A-Z store.

 

[Rogue10186]

You proly should have left the oil in the wells b/c if you take it out, it can make your engine misfire more, but if you fix everything soon, it won't matter.
Also, you may just want to buy the new gasket set instead of pulling it off your organ donor, b/c even if it's in good shape, it'll proly go out again just a few thousand down the road, plus you'll save yourself some time by not pulling apart your parts car for the gaskets.

I fixed the same problem on my 93 ATX a week or two ago, I would definetly sugest going through RockAuto for your parts, get the Delco wires, and whatever plugs you see fit. I tried going through 'retard-zone' for the parts, and it just proved to be a waste of time, it would have taken a week and a half for the parts to come in, but through Rockauto it took less than 3 days with the 3-day ground shipping, and only cost about 20-30 bucks to ship.

As for how long this job takes, it took me a lil over two days worth of work, but that was my first time working on any engine in my life, so I had to take my time. Overall it's not that hard of a job, it just requires a bit of wrestling with the wiring harness on the fire-wall side of the engine to get the valve cover off and on. Go here http://www.shophoenixproject.com/upper60k/upper60k.htm for a great guide on what you need to do. It shows every step to what you need to do, plus how to check the valve shims, but if they don't need changing, don't worry about them. Also, the guide says you need to remove the hood in one of the first steps, but I didnt when working on mine, and I never had any real problems with it being in place, though I did hit my head on it a few times

Happy hunting finding the parts, and good luck changing everything

 

[morpho18]

I have just recent did the valve cover gaskets, plugs and plug wires in my SHO....took roughly 5 hours. It was my first time removing the valve covers, and second time removing the intake.

For ease of intake removal, I'd highly suggest the throttle body coolant bypass. It takes 10 minutes to do and saves you butt loads of time when taking off the intake in the future.

All I can say is - TAKE YOUR TIME. Especially when seating the valve cover on the backside of the motor. The gasket likes to roll over the edge and not seal correctly. Would hate for you to get done, and have an oil leak, and have to start over again.

I got my FelPro valve cover gaskets at O'Reilly's, and to be safe, I'd get motorcraft spark plugs if I were you.

 

[91 SHOplus]

Do it right, or do it twice.

I agree with the others on this.

Get new gaskets, AC delco wires and motorcraft plugs, and have at it!

Also get a box of band-aids for you knuckles afterwards, and a 6-pack of your favorite cold stuff to celibrate a job well done!

 

[morpho18]

I can attest to the band-aids dude. While trying to break the first valve cover bolt loose, I just couldn't get it to budge. I change my position so that I could pull on the allen wrench instead of push, and let my weight break it loose. Well I tugged a couple times and yeah the bolt broke loose and sent my right forearm into the fuel rail pressure valve thing, which happened to have developed a sharp edge to it. This was 3 weeks ago, and I still have a 3 in. long scab.

As you can imagine, I was really looking forward to the remaining bolts after slicing my arm open on the first one. it got to be bothersome as blood was dripping on my valve covers, so I had to go bandage it up.

So be prepared...if you're gonna do you own work on the SHO, be prepared for scars, bruised knuckles, broken fingers, ect. Kind of like a SHO badge of honor....

 

[bmcreider]

lol this makes me miss my 88 teg. When I had that pos it was SO easy to work on, the engine bay was simple and not so cramped as the SHO, no power locks, windows, seats, ABS, climate control, cruise control, a lil tiny I4 1.6 liter...

I changed the valve cover gasket on that car and it took 20 minutes. 4 bolts is all that held it on and it was right in front of you and the gasket was only $15.

Oh well lol I've never ****** with the SHO's intake, so It's going to take a while to get that off, and then I dunno wtf is going to come up after that...but hopefully she'll run smoother I like it when she purrs lol.

 

[morpho18]

taking the intake off the first time is kind of intimidating...but after that, its really a breeze. I can take the intake off in about 10 minutes now after doing it twice. If I ever have to do the valve cover gaskets again, i'll be able to do that quicker. I'm no mechanic by any means, and I was able to perform these maintenance items. Like I said, first time for me took 5 hours...so plan accordingly. The best thing to do to learn about SHO's is grab a how-to guide off the internet, and go to town. I know a lot more about my car now after performing the work myself.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

So be prepared...if you're gonna do you own work on the SHO, be prepared for scars, bruised knuckles, broken fingers, ect. Kind of like a SHO badge of honor....

Its funny you say that. I was working on my g/f's car the other day and busted a knuckle by accident and started bleeding. Her mom came out and she was like, "He ends up bleeding everytime he fixes his car, no biggy."

Evidently she has seen me work on the SHO a few times...just funny...guess you had to be there...

 

[bmcreider]

well right now what is worrying me is plugging in all of those vaccuum lines back in correctly...

 

[morpho18]

not as hard as it looks. follow the how to at shophoenixproject.com. its the upper 60K maintenance section.