OK, I am not sure if this is the correct name for it, but the parts catalog refers to it (6519) as valve push rod cover. In any event it is on the driver's side underneath the spark plugs and behind the distributor. Appears to be held on by 6 bolts.
My question, not knowing much about the internals, can this cover be removed and painted without "consequences." I am guessing one would want to replace the gasket for it at the same time.
It appears it can be removed without removing any other components.
Since I have decided to hold off on engine replacement for the time being, might as well continue to clean-up and fix this one.

 

Timely subject.

I'll be putting one on my '94 with the fuel injection system, soon.

I recommend you label, and disconnect the spark plug wires, and remove the distributor cap (and rotor) to give yourself a little more room to work in.

You might stuff some clean shop rags around the lifters and pushrods to be sure no gasket material gets left behind.

Be careful scraping the gasket off. Dont gouge the block gasket sealing surfaces.

Same goes for the cover.

Get all the bolts started in their threads before you begin tightening the cover.

I gently snug the bolts until they are all tight. Never had one leak. (Knock on Wood)

 

Thanks for the response. Once I have made those preparations there are no issues with removing the cover?

 

Well, you still might have some wiring harness that runs across that cover.

They will release if you use needle nose pliers on them.

The rest is you contorting so you can get to all the bolts, etc without falling into the engine compartment. Some of these trucks are so fun to work on!

 

At least there is room to work.




lower.left.side.i6

 

There are two threaded holes for something to be mounted to on the back, right of the engine on the intake.
What prompted me to notice was a old rusty bolt found between the starter and the block after cleaning the engine some more.




back, right corner - i6

 

Your engine will be a breeze. Here's mine with all its fun... You can barely see the valve cover on it.

 

You just dissuaded me from the idea of eventually converting to EFI.

 

I don't have a real good picture of it but the kickdown linkage bolts up to that.

 

Trust me, I'd rather have your set up. BUT, this set up is behaving very nicely, except for the leaking pushrod cover. My engine actually had a PCV valve that was plugged up. Internal pressures is why the side cover started leaking on this truck.

 

Ahh. Not a concern for me anytime in the near future. Another one of those, that would be nice to have thoughts. A/c before auto. A better running and stopping truck before a/c.

 

While my truck is down for a while - disc brake installation project - and while I have the push rod cover off, are there any "easily" serviced components behind the cover? Again, reflecting my lack of engine mechanical knowledge.

 

Only the lifters and pushrods, and you'd still have to remove the valve cover to get them apart. If you don't need to work on them, I'd just replace the gaskets and move on to other fun projects on this truck that will be loaded with them, like mine is.

 

well a valve job is in my future. But not at the moment. Plenty to do elsewhere.

 

Got my cover painted and new gasket. To keep the gasket on while I was re-installing, I used some silicone-based adhesive. Was that a mistake? Seem to recall some harley forum members saying silicone should never come near the oil system.



Old Ford Blue engine paint from the same manufacturer with the same part numbers.