Valve cover replacement.

I took @Timmah! 's advise and labled everything I could while disassembling.


Took pictures from different angles too for reference.

 

I labled both sides of the spark plug wires Front, middle, back and took the entire loom to the bench and replaced one wire at a time. Attaching all the clips and dividers, so they came out the same as the old ones.

 

The biggest thing I was worried about going in to this was finding something bad in here.


I was pleasantly surprised at the condition. I guess the Mobile1 syn + Lucas oil stabilizer has been working well.

 

Everything went back together without a hitch. It fired right up. Runs smoother and I might be fooling myself, but it feels like throttle response is better.


If I kept close track of my milage I could tell you if it's better... But I don't... So I won't.

 

How much of the Lucas motor honey do you pour in there?

 

The whole thing brotha! 1 qt Lucas and the rest Mobil1 High Milage 5w30 synthetic.

Been doin that for 14 years now.

 

I've never run it before but lots of folks have good things to say about it. Your engine looks mighty clean minus some of the color varnish. Might try this in my 300zx, both of my Toyotas stay clean in there but the Z manages to make a mess no matter what.

Here it was when I tore it down...


And I had the heads completely rebuilt so I'd like it to stay clean this time although this is a common issue for this engine.

 

The color varnish may have to do with the fact that I haven't always been exactly accurate on my oil change intervals.

 

Eh it's harmless, it's the big globby shit that's gets ya.

 

The one thing I have noticed about the Lucas oil stabilizer is there are 2 different ones.

There's the original oil stabilizer that is A LOT thicker than the Pure synthetic oil stabilizer.

The pure syn is what I use. The original seems too thick, and it takes FOREVER to drain out of the bottle.

 

Just shows that Mobil 1 is a great oil if it can Battle that Cancer and keep your valvetrain that clean.

 

I am 100% sold on Mobil1... Have been for years. But, what I saw in that valve train after 285k+ miles, is vindication.

 

This was my I4 when I was doing head gasket at 300k miles. Toyota dino oil changed every 3k miles.

 

where there any special tools or items that y'all needed to get this done? anything you had to run out and buy? anyone have trouble with the wiring loom being brittle?

 

Dude I was just thinking the same thing! How did you mount and wire that?

 

No real special tools needed for this one.

I collected the parts prior to starting (over a couple months) the IAC gasket was the only one I forgot and had to get last minute. I didn't replace the half moons but would probably suggest doing it (if I were to do this again, I would replace them)

Yes, the wire loom was definitely brittle ( at least the plastic shell over the loom was). I covered it with heat rated tape and it seemed to be fine)

 

I talk about it in my build thead.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/el-taco-diablo-the-birth-and-new-adventures.523955/

 

My turn!