So its time to change valve cover gasket, and I have a hard time removing the EGR dump tube bolt (2 bolts to the engine block). I have all the bolts on the "Y" intake off and I also already loosen it.





Does anybody have a way of removing these, I dont want to take off more than I should.

 

you have to get ur hand down in there and use a small ratchet and be patient it will take some time to remove those two bolts.

 

I used a small 1/4 ratchet with a small extenstion and the 12mm socket. Thats the only way I could get it off...got it off in 5 min

 

Another way would be to get a small enough (5mm maybe?) socket to put on the end of the studs coming out of the y-plenum and just take the studs out of the plenum so you dont' have to try to get the EGR to come off of them.

 

My hand is too big and there is metal pipe that connect to the fuel rail on the way, It just anoying EGR bolts

Currently i took those throttle body off and take that elongated studs with 5mm and I am able to take the exhaust side valve cover off and the center valley (black) cover

yep I use the 5mm socket to get the studs of the plenum and apparently i strip one (SZ%$@!) so I may have to do the dual nut trick (put 2 nuts on the stud then use 12mm socket to take the whole thing out). Going to home depot to get the right pitch 2 nuts.

Also planning to RE-paint the valve cover, Hmm.. what color should i go with .... Gun metal ...arachite metalic ..


This is 92 SC300 120,000 miles.

 

I use aircraft paint removal, but paint is really baked on. its not even bubling or peeling off. I might just drop it off at machine shop

There is limited choices on spark plug wires too.
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1756041 (Performance)
POWERMAX Part # 700867 (Performance)
ACDELCO Part # 916X {#89021039} (OEM replacement)
DENSO Part # 6716174 (OEM replacement)
NGK Part # 6402 (Performance?)
Karlyn Ignition Wire Set W0133-1612577 (Performance)

Anybody tried any of these?

 

Still running stock wires here.

Denso makes a lot of the parts for our cars, and I've always used NGK stuff with great results.

 

I just installed the Denso #6716174. They are easy to install as the wires are the same diameter as the originals. However, they are not number marked and the ends that click into the distributor "suck" compared to the originals. The #5 and #6 wires were identical in length. I like to stay very OEM and at least like the look of these wires.

 

another option is 7mge wires. they are much fatter then stock and allow you to run a different, ie upgraded, ignition coil like an MSD

 

I did both valve cover gaskets along with the spark plugs and wires. That plenum is a pain in the *ss. The three tools that really saved me on the job were an air ratchet, extra long and curved needle nose pliers and a full set of wobble extensions for my socket set.

My gaskets were seeping in many places including lots of oil in my spark plugs. I am very excited to have this job done and behind me. It look me about 9-10 hours for the whole job. I probably could have saved 2-3 hours or more just to have someone else there to help me.

 

i have to change that on mine, this weekend...any one know where i can get cheap spark plug wires? lexus wants 100 bucks for them...screw that!!

 

I got my wires at sparkplugs.com. They have both Denso and NGK.