I just started replacing spark plugs and valve cover gasket and finished the drivers side plugs and valve cover gasket and in putting the cover back on ( with the new spark plug tube rubber gaskets) the valve cover wouldn’t go down all the way to be able to start any of the bolts. I took the cover off and thought I don’t remember there being any old seals under there, I searched for them and couldn’t find any, do some valve covers like mine just do not take them? When I put it on without them it fits perfect and snug, I think the top of the tubes fit into the underside of the cover , does this sound right ?

 

Did you REMOVE all three of the old spark tube seals? The old spark tube seals turn solid and look like they are a part if the valve cover. Make sure they are completely off and that the new seals are sitting firmly against the valve cover.

 

The seals your referring to must be different than the ones I mean and have seen in videos online when they took their cover off. I’m talking about the seals that are about 2” tall , I don’t think what is in the holes of my cover are seals as their covers had what mine has also plus they used other seals as well

 

Hello Hunter , you were spot on, I got off work a hour ago and removed the cover and I can See what you were referring to , that explains why I didn’t see any seals on there when I took the valve cover off and why the cover wouldn’t fit. I took a heat gun and took the old seals off and put the new seals on thanks much !!!

 

richiebach, I'm glad it worked. I was in the same spot the first to.e I did my valve covers. The seals were stuck to the covers and were as hard as the valve covers themselves. I honestly thought I may have had a different design from what the manual says. The only thing that alerted me that it is not the case is on the second valve cover, one of sthe spark plug seals stayed on the cylinder head. Then it was the - Light Bulb moment

 

You wouldn’t happen to know the inch pound torque settings for the plenum bolts do you ? I would guess that aside from the valve covers if you just made all the rest of the bolts pretty tight everything would work fine …. ?

 

Intake plenum bolts are around 13 ft.lb.
Valve cover bolts are 26 in.lbs.

 

Ok thanks -
on the 6 hole intake gasket do you use sealant?

 

No sealants on any of the metal gaskets

 

Do you think I should clean the plenum while I have it off ? It’s got 170k miles on it