I've got an 87 302 and the upper intake goes over the pass side valve cover. How difficult is it to remove all that to change the valve cover gaskets? I got a quote on the labor and that's $260. I'm pretty mechanically inclined but just hesitant when tackling something that involves taking parts of the engine off.

Thanks,

Jason
87 XLT 302

 

Go for it. On my 89 with 302, it probably took about 2 hours but I am the one always looking for what can or could go wrong. The hardest thing is the torx head that is dead center of the intake manifold. I can't remamber but am sure that someone will chime in with the size. I just remember that you need about a foot long thin extension for it. While you are at it, you might as well go ahead and test, check or replace the AIC and TPS if needed. Also, cleant the throttle body with throttle body cleaner and replace all gaskets involved.

Good luck,

PS: If you do a search, you sill be able to find out what size torx it is.

 

Thats IAC.....not "AIC"......and you could just give it a good cleaning. As for the TPS ....jst give it a "good/no good" test, and even if its a bit out of range...replace it.

 

How do you go about cleaning the IAC? I believe the torx size is 50

 

That is your IAC.....and to remove/install the fasteners you will need a 10mm wrench/socket IIRC.
I guess you could also use a #50 Torx, and just beat on it till it falls off though.....?


Here is a cut away shot of the IAC. You remove it, and then douche it out with TB cleaner....or your choice of solvent

 

the torx size for the upper intake bolt is a T-40

 

The upper intake I removed was a #50 as I had to buy it to remove the bolt

 

On my 94 it takes a #40 because I replaced the bolt with a hex head bolt. I have the Torx bolt in the garage when I checked it a #40 fit.

 

Exactly......but we were talking about cleaning the IAC valve.......no???

 

I believe we started with how to change valve cover gaskets.

 

When I first bought my 88 the valve cover gaskets were leaking. It would leak from them and hit the exhaust manifold causing it to smoke and smell in the cab. I made the mistake of missing one of the screw holes through the gasket and had to do the job twice. It is a moderate task but can be done in a saturday or so.