Valve cover gasket replacement

[tallbump]

Hi all. Newbie here.
:wave:
I need to replace the valve cover gasket and I have never done one before. I have VERY little mechanical ability, but I here it is pretty straightforward.
I have an 89 Celebrity with the 2.5
Anyone have any pics of the process?
Anyone know the size of the bolts?

Anything else I need to know.

Thanks in advance.

p.s. Is there a dedicated place for a formal introduction for newbs?

[dcjredline]

Nope it seems we dont have a newb forum yet. This will do just fine.

I dont have any pictures for you nor any knowledge of the 4cyl but I can tell you it should be pretty easy with a few tools.

Remove everything that is in the way of the valve cover, take cover off, clean the 2 surfaces (Being careful not to bend or scratch them, put a little bead of gasket sealer on the cover, let it get tacky and install the gasket, then when it is drued install the cover and ensure you dont overtighten them.

AutoZone rents a torque wrench and they also have Haynes manuals that will help guid you through this job.

GOOD LUCK MAN!! Keep us up to date on your success.

[tallbump]

Thanks Don. I am a few year member of the BonnevilleClub.com, and now a mod at the relatively new North East Bonneville Club, so I understand the rights and wrong and so forth of posting and what not. Can I find any written rules specific to this forum? LIke linking to other sites and what not?

I think I should be okay on the replacement, just never done anything like it before. I have a few friends on the North East Club that have done it, just figured I'd come to what I figured should be a good source of info.

I'll certainly keep everyone informed of my progress. Maybe I'll grab some pics and and pay attention to bolt sizes and what not.

[LordDurock]

i have one on hand. i'll take come picts but i wont take it apart.

[tallbump]

Thanks, any help I can get right now would be great.

What do I use to clean the area with?
And, should the gasket come with the adhesive?

[LordDurock]

Thanks, any help I can get right now would be great.

What do I use to clean the area with?
And, should the gasket come with the adhesive?

to clean the the cover use any sort of de geaser. and a razor blade to clean the "lip" (ware the gasket sits) the new gasket will need some sort of RTV gasket sealer. i use black rtv (note black RTV is a mother to get off i us it i thinks i know I'm not going to take off in a long time.

i'll go get thouse pict befor noon. here its 9:00 am right now

[tallbump]

Thanks again. I probably won't be dong this til this weekend so take your time.

[LordDurock]

okay keep in mind the motor i used to take Pict's of is out of car and has no alternator.

okay semi drain you cooling system (if its half full that fine)
2) take of air cleaner so you can see the throttle body.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/DCFC0118.jpg
okay you motor should be like the one above.
3)remove pcv valve by pulling it strait up. looks like the Pict below.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/DCFC0126.jpg
4) put tape on the end of each spark plug wire. and label from passenger side to drives side 1 2 3 4
5) remove the steel line that runs around the back of the valve cover.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/DCFC0127.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/DCFC0121.jpg

at this point you should be able to take off the cover by removing its bolts (there 10mm)

[tallbump]

:cheers:Thanks

[LordDurock]

simple green will get your vavle cover really clean :) and painting is realy easy ;)
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/my%20motor%20picts%20the%20tear%20down/DCFC0155.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lorddurock/my%20motor%20picts%20reasembly/DCFC0179.jpg

[dcjredline]

I would first attempt it WITHOUT taking that steel line out. If it wont come out or if it has got to be tiwsted or wiggled then take the line out.

Point being is with the new gasket on and trying to put the valve cover back in there you dont want to be twisting or pushing or anything. If it comes right out then youre fine.

[tallbump]

How would this steel line come out?

[LordDurock]

How would this steel line come out?

its either a 15mm or 13mm. and you would us which ever size it is flare nut wrench so you don't warp the nut.

[Jr's3800]

Brian Buddy... All you have to do is take your time.. On the last one I did I yanked the EGR just to get it out of the way... And as stated I also used High Temp Black on the gasket..:)

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

I do recomend you take the EGR valve off. You can get the cover on and off without taking it off, but when putting it on, the gasket always tends to not be in the right place. its only 2 10mm nuts, and a gasket. The hardest part is taking it off with the wrench, cause a socket wont fit. if you have a ratcheting wrench, that would probly help greatly.

[tallbump]

Brian Buddy... All you have to do is take your time.. On the last one I did I yanked the EGR just to get it out of the way... And as stated I also used High Temp Black on the gasket..:)

Hi there:lol:

Maybe I will tackle this this weekend. Wish me luck.

[Jr's3800]

Brian no luck needed..

Just bring the Wife and Kids down for a vacation and we'll fix it...

Follow all of the advice give here and you'll do just fine..:)

[tallbump]

Brian no luck needed..

Just bring the Wife and Kids down for a vacation and we'll fix it...

Follow all of the advice give here and you'll do just fine..:)

Might have to take you up on that :)

I am pretty sure I can do this. Just don't want to mess it up. I can't afford to go with out a car again.

[Tuddi]

Hello tallbump (Brian?) , and welcome.

I just changed both valve cover gaskets today the hard way... by cutting out new gaskets from a sheet of cork. I recon you will buy yours ready cut :)

In your case it should take no more than half an hour or so... even if you are inexperienced.

Just make sure you have a moderately complete set of basic tools, remember what bolt and rod you take from where, make sure to mark the firing order on the sparkplug wires... and you are already finished.

[tallbump]

Yep, it's Brain.
Got the tools.
Definitely buying a gasket. Advanced has one for $10.:werd:
My father-in-law has a set of ratcheting wrenches (Craftsman:rock:)to get that EGR off.
Firing order is one thing that I actually do know to pay attention to, so I am good there.
I think I am going to do this on Sunday, I'll let you know how I make out.

[dcjredline]

:cheers: PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES!!!

[tallbump]

Will do.
Weather is pretty crappy here. Might not make it out to my father-in-laws, so we'll see.
If not, I'll go it alone I guess.

Nother quick question....
I hear the oil filter on these is in a weird spot. Like I ave to take out the drain plug then reach up in and grab the filter
I have the oil and filter, but not sure where it is.
Any pics?
Was going to do the oil change on Sunday too.

[tallbump]

Looks like this is going to wait a bit.
It's like 14 degrees out, below 0 with the wind chill.
My garage is not heated, and the car barely fits, so it doesn't leave any room to work unless you leave the door open.
Hopefully it will warm up for next weekend.

[tallbump]

:rock:Got it done toady, along with an oil change. Much better.
Should have seen how bad the old gasket was.

[LordDurock]

good.

[Jr's3800]

:rock:Got it done toady, along with an oil change. Much better.
Should have seen how bad the old gasket was.

I have no Doubt Brian... Glad you got it taken care of..:)

[tallbump]

I have no Doubt Brian... Glad you got it taken care of..:)

Thanks Don.Me too:lol:

[kevinlvy]

hi sorry for bumping the thread up again as I mentioned in my introductions page I was given the task to restore a celeb.

when i saw the car on the garage i noticed some leakage on the floor and checked the engine. it was like opening a pandora's box i tell you. as i have double checked under the hood also found other problems on the body as well. anyway after opening the engine it really needs new valve cover gasket sets (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/valve_cover_gasket_set~pop.html) and i have noticed that the pistons would also not last much longer as there were contact scratches..

still awaiting the parts thou, the pictures here are great references, thanks!

[Century7667]

Did you pull the heads?

Ken T.