Discovered a leak in the passenger side valve cover gasket in my 1986 Camaro Z28 (5.0L carbureted), and figured I might as well change the whole thing to a new part while I'm at it. Ordered some new valve covers, but they did not come with gaskets, so I'm trying to figure out the best ones to go for, as well as the best way to remove/install.

1. Anything specific I should do to make the cover removal easier, or is it just move things out of the way until they're free?
2. What should I use to clean the head to get a good seal?
3. Recommended gasket brand/material?
4. Sealant or no sealant, and if yes, which type and where?

Unrelated: Does anyone have a link to the exact sensor used for the engine temperature gauge in my engine? I hear its the one directly on the driver's side of the head near cylinder 1, but all the sensors I've seen appear to have a different connection type for the green wire that normally fits there. It feel like my sensor has a circular ring on the end, whereas other types appear to have a direct socket.
Thanks!

 

I Have To Do This Also This Year And Dread Doing It,The Driver's Side Is Not Bad But The Passenger's Side Is A Real Pain In The A. You Have Remove Just About Every Thing To Get At It. And Pray You Don't Break Any Of Those Hard Plastic 25-30 Year Old Emission Lines That Have Too Be Removed.

 

ordered new valve covers ??? if what you bought is aftermarket stamped steel chrome ones , such as the "edelbrock " ones . they are NOT stamped correctly . they leak. they are "chinesium " junk . i have 12 sets of em hangin on the garage wall . and as for VC gaskets , i only use fel pro rubber ones . the cork is a joke i use the GM valve cover stud and nut kit with the load spreaders top and bottom . i use permatex #2 as a sealer . you only need to stick the gasket to the cover , not to the head. good luck

 

Annoyingly I busted one of the tiny ones while working on the passenger side cover, but Advance Auto sold new ones that look good. Unfortunately I only can find one end of where it plugs in.
Anybody have any ideas?:
https://i.imgur.com/VEvTMPj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/C2NycCD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qope1ih.jpg




I have these covers: http://www.rickscamaros.com/chevy-sm...1958-1986.html
and these gaskets: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/f...e+cover+gasket

I should be good to go once I can get the damn cover off.
I feel like I've already moved almost everything out of the way that can go besides a big wire loom I'd really like to avoid messing with, but it seems like its getting stuck on a bracket right about here: https://i.imgur.com/OExO2Wa.jpg

Do you think dropping the alternator might let it slide out, or is there some secret thing I'm missing?

I've got a buddy coming over tomorrow to lend some extra hands and muscles, so if anybody has ideas I'm all ears.

 

I have the rubber felpro rubber ones on my '87 IROC and my '00 K2500 and have never had a leak.

 

Did you ever get the valve cover gaskets replaced?

 

I got the passenger side one replaced with the help of a buddy in a couple of hours, but it turns out that the smoke is coming from somewhere beneath the engine, so I'm not sure where to go from here.
I think it might just be exhaust smoke leaking from a different type of gasket, as it is doesn't seem to smell like coolant or oil. However, I haven't been able to find anything else to guide me in the right direction.

 

Are you sure it isn't oil residue from the previously leaking valve cover?

 

Its possible I suppose, but how long do you think it would continue to burn? I can't see any pools of oil lying anywhere on the block, and its probably smoked at least 10-20 minutes between running and cooling down afterwards. Should I remove the battery and give that area of the engine a wash to get any remnants off?

Also, I'm not sure how it factors in, but the smoke also comes in through the interior air vents. Its the same smoke from under the hood by smell and appearance, and its definitely not the heater core since I went through that a few years ago and its a totally different smell.