hi, i need to replace my valve cover gasket, on the passenger side. i was told from a mechanic, that it would take upwards of 4 hours to do, but it doesnt look to be that bad to me, any way, how hard is it to do, and any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

I wouldn't think it would take 4 hrs., I'm not sure how much stuff you have in the way of it because you need room to lift the cover up and out. Maybe he's saying that to charge you more. I've never changed a valve gasket but on my motor I wouldn't have to make any room just move things out the way to get clearance. I would also recommend getting some permatex, this will help you get a better seal. And don't go cheap on a gasket, you get what you pay for. Fel-Pro is a good brand.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
FLOWMASTER, NO CAT
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4 vette servo and .500 boost valve
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite
Soon to be installed
3" Hooker Aero Chamber

 

Well I have Done Both Valve Cover Gaskets On My IROC. Well Let's Just Say It Does Take Quite A While On The Passenger Side. I Have All The Emissions, Along With The Rest Of The Stuff(hoses, wires, etc..) And They Do Get In The Way. Let's Just Say It's A PITA. Well As For The Gaskets I Recommend Felpro's PermaDry Valve Cover Gaskets (that's what i used). They Haven't Leaked Since. Well Good Luck, Cause I've Been There And It's Sucks.

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88' IROC-Z, 350 TPI, 700-R4

 

You might as well change both, the passenger side will take 5x as long as the drivers side, depending on what year the car is.

Just take heater stuff off, get the wires out of the way, any accessory blocking the top, and pull that sucker off. I could change both of mine in my 87 iroc in less than an hour, but I have converted to serpentine so the only accessory in the way is the alternator, and that is easily moved.

 

Well, it certainly didn't take me long! What took me a while was cleaning the SOB's I decided since they were chrome (paint or whatever) valve covers, they might as wel shine for a while...the only prob I had was, as everyone is saying that annoying smog crap. I just used my strong arm to pull that crap away and disconned a few peices. Even then clearance over the rockers was tight, and I had to get it in just right....to make the job harder, I used those rubber like gaskets, which kept snapping off the valve covers...all in all though, I think it took maybe 1.5 hours tops.
Corry

 

Valve covers??? 4 hours?? How is that possible the first time i tried it was a little tricky but not hard it took me a little bit but less than 10 min to take out both of them, that is with the bolts off. But now that i have done it plenty of times i can take it off within a min. Are we talking about a third gen? Or is my car special?? Maybe its just because i had to take it off about 100 times because some guy gave me none aligning roller rockers insted of aligning ones but anyways its not that hard.

 

thanks for all the help, i will have it in the garage in a few days to try to work on it, its a 86 z with tpi 305 and a 700r-4 tranny, if someone has tried on somethin close or whatever,thanks again