Screw midwest autogear and their $350 custom painted valve cover, ill do mine myself...i recently underwent the task of removing my valve covers this morning...for a lamen like me, i didnt know what was in store for me...luckily, with use of Taco Bills how-to guide on removing your valve covers, i was able to remove mine successfully as i followed his directions step-by-step making sure i didnt miss anything...i began working at 1230pm and had them removed about 3pm (working by myself with basic tools and no univeral joint socket)...after that, each valve cover took me appx 45 minutes to sand down with coarse steel whool and a final rub down with a rag doused with rubbing alcohol...as of right now, my fingertips feel like they have been ran down the the nub...

I started by removing the drivers side first (as did Taco Bill)


Then the passenger side...


keep in mind, taco bills tutorial didnt say anything about the sand that is caught in the grooves on top of the valve covers down just under the coil over plugs..i used a straw and blew with all my might down into each groove the blow the sand away....when i removed the passenger side cover, a little bit of sand still fell down onto the cam springs...not knowing anything about engines, i panicked, went and grabbed a straw, and sucked all the sand out off of the springs with my mouth inhaling oil as well...i had no other choice as my rag would not get the sand up and i didnt have any kind of vac available...oh well, i got the sand out....

Taco Bills guide also shows how to remove the items that are fixed to the valve covers themselves...

After all the screws and plastic pieces are removed...


Today, i gave them to my brother in law to prime and paint black and also put the ghost flames like i have on my intake and radiator cover...i should have them back on thursday or friday so Ill post more pics and i progress....

 

This ought to look really good! Can't wait to see the finished look.....

 

All right Mike.
You did it!
Thought it'd be faster though. Kiddin'.

 

i bet they are going to look fantastic ONF1R

taco's write up helped me too, on a recent project....

i would have killed myself, if i didn't have the 1/4"
swivel

 

LOL On the part about sucking up the oil through a straw... I can only imagine what that would taste like! Now that's some dedication man! Trust me in a panic I'd probably do the same haha. Good job on taking them off nice to hear it doesn't really take that long. Might have to try this myself...

 

lol not for a noob like me...im not mechanically inclined at all...im more of a technical person...i just hope i can get the valve covers back on the way they should be replaced so i can get a good seal with no leaking problems since i am reusing the same gaskets...i cleaned them as directed by taco bill and will apply the RTV sealant in the right places cross my fingers...with the covers off, i should be okay with just leaving the hood down with a car cover over the car, right? or do i need to put something directly over the cam opening? i wont be replacing the covers until friday, probably...also, how long would it take to notice a gasket leak after turning the car on if they dont have a proper seal?

 

Alright man, just take your time, and it will come out great.

 

Sweet, I'm anxiously awaiting to see the end result.

 

Reference last question....should be immediately. The gasket is rubber and as long as you sit it properly and tighten the bolts uniformly, you should have no problems. Lets us know how it turns out...

 

Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to cover up the openings with tape or tape newspaper around the openings. The engine bay still gets drafts and something may find its way into the openings.