Thread: Need tips

im gonna replace my valve cover gaskets tomorrow is there any tips to make it easier or anything i should do while i have the valve covers off.

rockers

Originally Posted by snow99dohc

rockers

i wish i just dont have the money.

Originally Posted by MTXGTP

im gonna replace my valve cover gaskets tomorrow is there any tips to make it easier or anything i should do while i have the valve covers off.

I do believe you will have to take the ignition control/coil bracket off to get to the front valve cover off. Make dang sure you have the right seals for your application. When I replaced mine, they gave me the gaskets for the GT model or something, they didnt fit. That kit should also come with new seals for the bolts, be sure to check for this because if you have the original gaskets still in, chances are some of the OEM ones are going to be torn, cracked or otherwise useless

I also recommend the use of a torque wrench. That way you dont over tighten the bolts and cause those bolt seals not to seal properly.

Clean the crap out of the things. I used nearly a full large can of brake cleaner on mine. I was in there with a toothbrush and brake cleaner and I got those things spit shine clean.

While your at it, get you a can of adhesion promoter and your favorite color of paint and paint those suckers. That adhesion promoter works FLAWLESSLY in getting the paint to adhere to the valve covers. Ive had mine painted now for going on six months and not one flake of paint has come off (thanks webracin).

I believe that the bolts have a shoulder on them so the will only go so far into the head, which limits how much crush you can put on the gasket. So just snug them up and give them a hair more so they don't come loose. I could be wrong though. Oh a good idea also is to take something like carb cleaner and clean the surface of the head where the seal sits, getting all the oil off will help the gasket seal better. Also it isn't a bad idea to change the oil when you are done, before you start it up. Just incase some dirt fell in or something.

i put rty into the crease where you put the gasket, just to hold the gasket in place.

well i got it done yea the Coil bracket had to come off and also the alt. bracket had to come loose not all the way. but i got it done thanks for the tips guys.