replacing valve cover gasket questions

[HydraulicPanda]

I'm going to attempt to replace the valve cover gasket today on my newly acquired '89 sahara project jeep. When I fired it up the other day after giving it a tune up, I noticed an occasional puff of white smoke near the back of the engine. I got eye level with the valve cover and the gasket looks pretty rotten (about 100-150k on the engine).

I got a fre-flo cork gasket (is rubber better? I chose to pay $5 for cork instead of $30 for rubber). Do I need to drain the oil out of the engine before doing this? Once I'm in there I know from reading several posts that I should clean both mating surfaces well. I want to paint the the cover with black high temp paint while it's off, is it safe to clean the whole thing really well? Or should I leave it oily inside, I've heard bad stories about people cleaning old engine parts.

Next... should I use RTV on the gasket? I read post saying YES and NO and then another post saying to use something called permatex non-hardening 'form-a-gasket' on both sides of the cork... man forums can be helpful but at the same time way to confusing :puzzled:

Any help is really appreciated, I'm going to try this in a few hours so I'll be checking here watching for responses. Thanks

-HydraulicPanda

[BigRedYJ]

This is why we are so much better!!

You should be fine with cork and RTV.

Go ahead and clean the crap out of it...can't hurt it...just make sure that you do not drop anything in the engine...could be a real PIA to get out!!

Watch how tight you tightin the bolts...you dont want to break any!!(did sat. night on a n oil pan :steamin: )

Good luck...oh..why black? You should go with Orange or like one guy said...pink. :agree:

[MattPascoe]

Did mine recently, Cork felpro gasket and blue RTV. And no you dont have to drain your oil.

The correct torque is pretty important. If you over tighten the bolts the gasket will get squished out of position and leak (or worse, stripped bolts).

MP

[cminter]

may want to check for interference with upper radiator hose. I used cork but no rtv, just some gasket shellac to keep in on the cover while geting it in place.

[crawgator]

When I use RTV I normally let it set up for around 30 minutes before I button it up. I just did the valve cover on my 88. I ran a bead on head where cover bolts up and ran a bead on valve cover. Let it sit and put gasket on and torque down, no leaks.

[HydraulicPanda]

Well the valve cover job is taking longer than I had wanted. The snag now is that I don't have the correct gasket (top one is the old and bottom is the new), I got the correct gasket according to the parts computer at Advanced auto parts:

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_12.jpg
does anyone know the part number for the gasket (fel-pro, or any other brand)? ('89 sahara I6 5spd. manual).

Taking the cover off was a cake walk (almost). I unhooked everything and zip-tied hoses etc. back. I was surprised/disturbed that the cover bolts were only on there hand tight, I took them all off with my fingers :bigeyes: It looks like there are two rockers that have spots of rust on them, I'd like to change them but not now. I cleaned the ever loving crap out of the valve cover with carb cleaner, engine degreaser, and lots of steel wool. After getting everything clean and smooth I scuff sanded the surface to prep it for the high temp paint (I decided to go with Aluminum color). Taped up all the holes and filled the screw holes and hit it with three coats of paint. Here are pictures of the process:

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_00.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_01.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_02.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_03.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_04.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_05.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_06.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_07.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_08.jpg

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~nuzz/jeep/images/jeepvalvecover_09.jpg

Is it bad that the cover has been off for a day or two?? I closed the hood.

[MattPascoe]

Looks like we got another photo slut:clapping:

Damn, you do nice work. That VC looks better than new. I have the exact same setup as you ('89 4.2 sahara), the parts guy just gave you the wrong part. I recently bought one (felpro) from kragen and it was the right one first shot.

MP

Edit: Dont forget to replace (and lightly RTV) your PCV grommets. Looks like they were leaking pretty bad and it would suck to make a mess outt that sweet VC. Oh, and oil caps leak to when old...

[SodaboyYJ]

When I retorqued my rockes (several yrs ago) there was no gasket to replace on my '93 4.0L


So, I guess DC learned something..... skip the gasket and use RTV

[HydraulicPanda]

-=- originally posted by MattPascoe -=-
Looks like we got another photo slut:clapping:


Haha, well I'm a visual type of person. I think all posts should have pictures, there are just some things easier said with photos than with text. I've read that whole 'Cheap Tips' thread in the TJ section and some of the tips are hard to picture in my mind.

[Sequel]

Looks awesome. Looks like a good way to spot future oil leaks in the valve cover.

[mnjeeper]

-=- originally posted by SodaboyYJ -=-
When I retorqued my rockes (several yrs ago) there was no gasket to replace on my '93 4.0L


So, I guess DC learned something..... skip the gasket and use RTV

Perfect timing for this thread. Anyone else care to comment on the RTV only thing? That was my original plan.....I don't see the point of an actual gasket and RTV vs. just RTV.