valve cover gasket

[93-Spec-Edn]

Hi

I have a fair bit of oil in the spark plug well of culinder 3. I therefore am planning on changing the front valve cover gasket and have a few quick questions?

1. If I change the rear vale cover or intake gaskets, will I have to re do the front one again or are they all independent?

2. Is there a particluar order in which I should tighten the bolts?

3. What torque should I tighten the bolts to?

4. Anything else I need to know?

Thanks

[mitmaks]

tighten from inside out (center ones first) they are independent

[Gro Harlem]

cylinder #3 is in the rear cylinder bank, you probably mean cylinder 4, the front, center cylinder?

And the intake manifold gaskets are independent, but still require you removing the manifold from both cylinder banks. The valve cover gaskets are independent though.

[93-Spec-Edn]

Originally posted by Gro Harlem:
cylinder #3 is in the rear cylinder bank, you probably mean cylinder 4, the front, center cylinder?

And the intake manifold gaskets are independent, but still require you removing the manifold from both cylinder banks. The valve cover gaskets are independent though.

Sorry, I mean the front most right plug well.
Does anyone know the torque specs? Should I change all the bolts?

[IanL]

Valve cover bolts torque to 43-78 inch lbs.

[93-Spec-Edn]

Thanks for the info.
How can I prevent crap from going into the engine when I am removing parts of the old gasket? Shall I use a sealant? Also when I start tightening from the centre should I do all the top bolts firstor alternate?
Thanks

[lakersfan1]

Originally posted by IanL:
Valve cover bolts torque to 43-78 inch lbs.

Just thought it should be reiterated.....

43-78 INCH pounds.

Not FOOT pounds.

[triggercut]

1) The Chilton's diagram specifies to tighten the outside bolts first, then do the center. I doubt it's that important.

2) I had a gasket scraper to clean off the surface. It's just a safety razor on the end of a handle. If you end up getting any chunks of gasket in there you'll probably be able to pick them out. Only parts to watch are the curves.

3) Do yourself a favor: buy an INCH-pound wrench. I didn't want to spend the money, and ended up spending it anyway when I needed a mechanic to drill out bolts I had broken.