Valve cover removal
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Removing the passenger side is pretty much the same procedure. There are 2 plastic brackets that hold the heater hoses that just pull off of the studs on the VC bolts. The bottom front bolt has a stud and nut that holds the engine oil dipstick tube. You need to try to break this nut loose without twisting the bracket on the tube or damage may result. You can use a thin wrench on the stud under the brakcet for a "back up" or grab the stud threads at the top with vice grips and use a wrench on the nut loosen it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
Everything Mueckster said plus you,ll need some way to get to the two bolts by the A/C box. Some use a universal socket extension. For me it was easier to take off the front tire and just reach in through the wheel well.
I think the passenger side is easier than the drivers side but I may be in the minority on this...
I think the passenger side is easier than the drivers side but I may be in the minority on this...
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
Everything Mueckster said plus you,ll need some way to get to the two bolts by the A/C box. Some use a universal socket extension. For me it was easier to take off the front tire and just reach in through the wheel well.
I think the passenger side is easier than the drivers side but I may be in the minority on this...
I think the passenger side is easier than the drivers side but I may be in the minority on this...
I am with you on your opinion. The passenger side was much easier than dealing with *&^%$#@ bottom bolt at the rear on the drivers side!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 1
From: Northern Idaho
The hardest part on the passenger side is getting everything out of the way.
When you get your IC tube loose you can wiggle it up to the back top of the engine then work it out from there.
As for the valve cover bolts, they are easier then the driver's side rear bolt. At least that is how i remember it. I didn't complain about that bolt like I did the driver's side, it was mostly removing everything just so I could remove the cover.
When you get your IC tube loose you can wiggle it up to the back top of the engine then work it out from there.
As for the valve cover bolts, they are easier then the driver's side rear bolt. At least that is how i remember it. I didn't complain about that bolt like I did the driver's side, it was mostly removing everything just so I could remove the cover.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Man Cave
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Grab your oil filler tube on top of the VC and unscrew it from the VC. That will make it a little easer to get the VC out of there.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 1
From: Northern Idaho
You'll need about a foot and a half of extentions to get the boot loose on the IC if you don't take the battery out. That is how I get mine out. I hate disconnecting batteries if there is no reason to.
But like ChunderDownUnder said, no.
But like ChunderDownUnder said, no.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 1
From: Northern Idaho
Get that puppy strapped back in asap so it doesn't leave you stranded. Whet you pull the covers off you'll see a clip plugging into the valve cover gasket. Slide a quarter from the top of the clip down under the clip. Mark it with a pen, or pencil or something that will mark it visibly then take some tin snip, hack saw or lineman scissors and cut it just below the line. Slide the quarter back in and the clips will no longer come loose, they will be unable to. They will be stuck in place while the quarter remains there.
This is the .50 mod.
When you put your valve covers back on use some fresh oil and rube them down. Make sure you get them lined up well or they will leak. I know. After doing the mod on my truck I had to take my driver's side cover off again and re-seat it to get a good seal because I was seeping oil.
This is the .50 mod.
When you put your valve covers back on use some fresh oil and rube them down. Make sure you get them lined up well or they will leak. I know. After doing the mod on my truck I had to take my driver's side cover off again and re-seat it to get a good seal because I was seeping oil.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
When I pulled the passenger side vc off most recently, a bunch of crap from the insulation on the blower box got knocked loose and fell into the head (looked like glitter). If yours is flaking like mine, cover it up with something so nothing falls in. I also pulled the a/c compressor to make the removal of the i/c tube and vc easier. There's enough slack in the lines to set it on top of the coolant overflow. For the two bolts by the blower box I used a regular socket on a 3/8" ratchet with the wobble head. It scuffed up the the sticker a little but that was it.
