The valve cover gaskets are leaking on my 2004 SS Dale Jr. How hard are these to replace and are there any tips to making this easier?

Also, why are the gaskets for the supercharged engines a lot more than for non supercharged? The local parts store wanted $49 for a Fel-Pro gasket set for the supercharged engine and $11 for a set for the non supercharged engine. What is the difference? Thanks.

Wayne

 

https://www.zzperformance.com/grand_...=302&catid=103

The shape of the gaskets is the only difference.

Were the $11 gaskets the same material though?
I'm not really familiar with the various gasket options for either engine, but it's possible that the $11 were cork gaskets or something similar where the more expensive ones are rubber.

-Riggs.

 

valve cover gaskets are really easy to replace. Pull valve covers off, pull out old gaskets, press in new ones and reinstall. Done.

My gaskets were $13 I think, and they were rubber. I have no idea why the L67 ones would be so much more than the L36 gaskets like mine. Weird.

 

I have done it already cuz mine was leaking.... there is a lot of stuff you have to take off to get to them but once u get to them, there easy

 

I don't know what the $11 gasket was made of. It does look like there is quite a bit of stuff to take off before the valve covers can be removed. I'll probably wait until it gets a little warmer.

Wayne

 

On the front you take off the upper engine mounts and brackets on the engine for the mounts and if it's still there, the engine lift bracket, access to the valve cover is then granted. On the rear the alt and alt bracket comes off. The bracket can just be pushed out of the way far enough to get to the valve cover. The thing is, the bracket is also a front cover for the engine which coolant flows through. Best to do it when the engine is cold to keep coolant loss to a minimum. It can be done without losing any, but if you do lose any it's not much, barely a few drops or so if you're careful.

Don't forget to disconnect the battery since you'll be taking off the alt.

*Oh, moving the coolant reservoir out of the way will make things go along a bit easier on the back.

 

Also don't forget to use some brake cleaner to spray down the valve covers and clean them up really good before you put the new gaskets on

 

Owning both an L36 and an L67, I can honestly say that I can see no difference in the valve covers or the valve cover gaskets on either.

 

CMC,
Thanks for that detailed description of what needs to be removed. That will help a lot.

I guess I will just suck it up and get the more expensive ones just in case there is some difference I don't know about. Do you think it has something to do with the recall for the L67 cars?

Wayne

 

I'm not sure about the recall if it has to do with the problem you're having. But in order to make sure that your Valve Cover gasket to be okay, try to maintain it regularly and your car's performance will be smooth and good.