How to Change Valve Cover Gaskets

The first step is to pop the hood and remove valve covers from engine.  It is necessary to first remove air box and tubes going to the throttle body.  This will make the job a lot easier because it will expose the valve cover bolts, and make them more accessible.  Remove anything else that is necessary so that you can get a socket on all of the valve cover bolts and so that you can remove the valve cover from the engine.  Remove all bolts from the valve cover and pry the valve cover off the engine.  Be very careful not to bend the valve cover if prying is required.  Once the valve covers are removed from the engine the gasket must be taken out of the valve cover.  Sometimes the gasket is really stuck in the valve cover.  If this is the case you can either scrape the gasket out of the valve cover or use a torch to heat the gasket.  Once the gasket is warm it will usually pull out of the valve cover much easier.  If you choose to use the torch be careful not to light the gasket on fire or if there is oil on the valve cover or gasket.  Be sure to remember that engine oil is extremely flammable.  Always use torch with cast-iron.  Once the gasket is removed from the valve cover then place the valve cover on engine and start all bolts before tightening any.  Look up torque specifications to see how tight to make the bolts.  One the valve covers are installed, reinstall anything that you disassembled to remove the valve covers.  Once everything is reinstalled, before starting the engine for the first time make sure that the oil is full.  If necessary you may have to add some.  Then start the engine and let it run for about 15 minutes to make sure that everything is okay.