What would the EASIEST and MOST EFFECIENT way to do this? I need to stop that damn ticking whatever it is. It's driving me nuts! Might be a loose rocker as it has got steadily worse over a 3 month period. (with 1,000 mile trips) Either that or a bad lifter? kinda like a tick/rattle. Sounds like the back cylinder. So might as well adjust them all while Im at it BUT, how to get the damn thing off!

 

You have to pull the upper and lower plenum to gain access to all of the cover holddowns (the downside of the compact 60* V6).

You'll probably also need a 10mm deep socket to get them off.

 

the valve covers on my 3.1 are on with inverted torx

 

Doesn't it have a stud with the inverted torx end and a 10mm nut on the stud?????

 

10mm is the is of the bolts holding the top plenum to the middle.

The inverted torx,..........when I put the covers back on my motor, I just 4 studs..two on the top two holes of both covers to hold it in place. I used the 3.4 bolts for the rest, especially the PITA rear of the covers. If you can, go to a dealerhip & get that hardware o you wont need to that deepwell ocket as much.

 

heh never looked that close

once i get the 350 TPI built, i'll be pulling the 3.1

 

IF I was you......
I'd just change oil add a top end cleaner & see what happens.
To remove, you need 10mm 12 point socket or wrench
Take top flip over keeping all things attached to top intake part.
Next is middle intake. Upon removal of that you also need remove the fuel injectors and the o-rings will be brittle.
Really try a top end addative or just add a slightly thicker mixture of oil, to see if that calms down the noise (and your complaints of it)
IT may end up being the most simple cost effect way to remove valve train noise.

 

And you're sure it's not an exhaust leak and/or snapped bolt between the manifold and head, or between the manifold and y-pipe? Time to get a louder stereo!