How much **** do I have to unbolt to do valve cover gaskets on a 1990?

[Strelok]

Valve cover gaskets are leaking. Previous owner included nice look PermaDry rubber gaskets with the truck. Looks to me like I'll have to at least take the alternator off the starboard side and AC compressor off the port side, then still have to fanagle them through the rats nest.

Anyone know if it is in fact possible to get them out without unbolting this stuff before I go wasting my time?

 

[adsm08]

Your situation is greatly complicated by the fact that you have AC.

Without the air conditioner it would be easy. With it, it's a giant pain.

 

[IIBRONCOS]

Start unbolting anything that is in the way, to leave room to lift them up and off. Make sure the valve cover bolt hardware stays in their respective positions. You may already know this, but lay a straight edge along the bottom of the valve covers and look for any areas where light shows through. Lightly tap the high spots on a vise or flat piece of steel, then re-check with level. When I did mine I used rubber gaskets coated lightly (both sides) with silicone grease. I finger turned all of them in as far as I could. I then started at the bottom middle bolt and lightly worked my way to the right and left of the lower row to get the cover to set against the rubber gasket where most of the oil would be inside the valve cover. I then started to do the top row, and around the ends. Go easy on the torque, it doesn't take much to seat the gaskets, and you wont end up re-bending the valve covers you just straightened. I have completely dry valve covers even to the touch at the gasket seal surfaces.

 

[Elutheros]

I just did this on a 1991 4.0 the other night. Your A/C is going to make it harder, but start by taking the upper intake off. Then you can at least see the bolts on the top of the covers. A strong magnet comes in handy for collecting the loose bolts and getting them back in the holes. Ibuprofen can help your sore back after bending over to get through that mess.

 

[elscotto80]

I thought mine were leaking and was going to go down the same path of replacing the gaskets. I figured I would check the bolts first and all of them were loose. Tightened them all down, no more leaking. Maybe give that a try before tackling such a job?

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