Valve cover gasket

so i have read different from somewhere (i forget) that you don't need the covers off to change them behind there
why on earth would they not change them when they had them off i do not know

 

You can change the fulls w/o pulling the VC's off, not the 1/2's but it will be twice as hard since you can't see them.

You're making this more difficult when it's just a few bolts.

Just find a new mechanic. The old one sucked and you're going to need one. You know that clutch won't last forever.

 

You can do it yourself. At 190k I redid mine, the gaskets on top that seal coil packs (are these what, people are calling the moons?), spark plugs, coil boots and springs, and spark plugs. It took me 2 hours total to do it all. I never did any engine work before this. You can do it no problem.

 

Throttle body gasket part number? 03 Taco 3.4L non supercharged.

 

i don't know the expected lifespan of these clutches under significant % highway miles and limited wear and tear, could be it goes to 300k miles

i can certainly attempt to redo the whole VCG properly after rewatching timmys videos, it may take 2 weeks to get it done, (perhaps more with putting it back together) since i would also like to clean and perhaps powdercoat the covers
... just see myself dropping something down in there with the covers off and destroying the engine

 

is that called the plenum gasket?

 

The plenum gasket is the gasket for the air surge.(or intake manifold)

 

No. All moons are on back/front of head. They are there to make the heads interchangeable side to side.

We have a video AND a sticky with pictures of what all this is.

Run your hand behind the head. If still oily, you still need to go back in.

courtesy Ramon Ortiz for his sticky.

 

ah I see. If I have a 2.7L is it different?

 

sigh, yes it's different. However the 1/2 moon is a remnant of drilling the cam journals I'd have to see a head to see if it has a 1/2 moon or not on the front of the slaved cam.

 

I don’t think it does as I just replaced the gasket and I have zero leaks.

 

Look at :20-:23 at the two 1/2 moons used to drill the cam journals. keep an eye on these not to weep oil. At least they both in front.

 

Got it! Will do. I have the same front timing chain cover leak as that guy. Lol I leave it alone because it costs an arm and a leg to fix and it doesn’t really hurt anything if I keep my oil topped off.

 

Here's some pics of my full moons, i suppose changing could be possible without removing VG's but i wouldn't feel safe. The new ones had some fresh rubber and fit snug.

I just did mine on the 3.4 v6, when you said 2 hours and no motor work before i started to question my abilities. Either way you're probably good.

 

lol. It’s because I have a 4 banger and it’s super easy to work on these things.

 

Me too!
I've always used Fel-Pro PermaDrys and haven't had issues on multiple vehicles. Reasonably priced and the fitment is spot on.

As far as time goes, it took me 2 days after work outside using only daylight in October.
I could have easily had it done if I had done it on a Saturday.
Timmy's video and the guides on here are great resources!

 

Anybody have thoughts on whether I should do the fuel injectors at the same time I'm replacing the VC gaskets? I have a daily driver, so I have the luxury of having the truck out of service for a few days while I send the injectors out for cleaning. I'd only be doing the injectors for PM purposes because I need to do the VC's, otherwise no complaints about the fuel sys. Currently at 160k miles on a '98 3.4 v6. After viewing the videos from Timmah, it looks like pretty much the same process is needed to remove engine parts regardless of whether you're doing VC's or injectors.

 

Does anybody other than me put the spark tube seals in the freezer before installation?

 

I did also and no problemo

 

I did both jobs in one day. It makes sense because you have to remove the intake plenum on either job. My first time doing it and I took about 10 hours, but I documented and labeled each part as I removed it which made reassembly really quick and easy. Also did spark plugs, fuel filter and PCV while I had it all apart.