After replacing the valve cover gasket a few weeks ago in my 92 LC, I decided I would dig a little deeper into the 3FE and replace the pushrod cover gasket. The engine was covered with a thick layer of sludge, and after 17 years the gasket was probably leaking. The new part was only $9.15 from CDan, how hard could this be?
I started by removing the whole air intake assembly from the throttle body to the air fiter lid, disconecting the MAF electrical connector and vacumn lines. Next I pulled the oil filter and distributor cap with all plugs and breather lines still attached. After noting the position of the rotor and the dizzy housing itself, I removed the distributor and tied back any more electrical/vacumn/fuel return lines. With all this out of the way, I could see there was no way the pushrod cover would come out without first removing the PS pump and bracket, AC compressor and bracket and AC Idler pulley.
With everything out of the way, I could gently pry/cut the top half of the pushrod cover gasket, then, with lots of finger strength, a rocking motion, gentle pry bar and cats paw action, and lots of colorful language, the pushrod cover finally came off. This was by far the hardest, most hunched over PITA ordeal of the whole project. The next biggest PITA was cleaning the gasket off of the head and cover(most of it was on the cover thank goddness).
Once everything was cleaned up, the new gasket and cover went on much easier than it came off. It is held on by 10 bolts and 2 nut/studs, the gasket and cover hang from the studs while you fish the bolts in and through the gasket, working it all into place. Put the dizzy back in, cap and plugs, new oil filter, reconnected the air intake and all vacumn/electrical lines. Mounted up the PS bracket and PS pump, changed oil, reconnected the battery, and......it started like it was never apart.
Even if the gasket wasn't leaking(I'm sure it was though) I'm glad I went in there and cleaned 17 years of crude away from the 3FE. What is that down there, an oil cooler? I replaced some broken split loam, and taped up some exposed electrical lines as well. Spreading the job out over the weekend, it took about 15 hours. Noticed I have more power since I cut the AC belt and left the compressor/Idler pulley/mount out for now, which reminds me.......
Is the AC mount used as a stiffener? It mounts high on the block and back down on the frame. Should i throw it back in or is it not needed?
1st pic...Rotor and dizzy position noted. How lucky for me!
2nd pic...Dirty pushrod cover
3rd pic...All cleaned up
I started by removing the whole air intake assembly from the throttle body to the air fiter lid, disconecting the MAF electrical connector and vacumn lines. Next I pulled the oil filter and distributor cap with all plugs and breather lines still attached. After noting the position of the rotor and the dizzy housing itself, I removed the distributor and tied back any more electrical/vacumn/fuel return lines. With all this out of the way, I could see there was no way the pushrod cover would come out without first removing the PS pump and bracket, AC compressor and bracket and AC Idler pulley.
With everything out of the way, I could gently pry/cut the top half of the pushrod cover gasket, then, with lots of finger strength, a rocking motion, gentle pry bar and cats paw action, and lots of colorful language, the pushrod cover finally came off. This was by far the hardest, most hunched over PITA ordeal of the whole project. The next biggest PITA was cleaning the gasket off of the head and cover(most of it was on the cover thank goddness).
Once everything was cleaned up, the new gasket and cover went on much easier than it came off. It is held on by 10 bolts and 2 nut/studs, the gasket and cover hang from the studs while you fish the bolts in and through the gasket, working it all into place. Put the dizzy back in, cap and plugs, new oil filter, reconnected the air intake and all vacumn/electrical lines. Mounted up the PS bracket and PS pump, changed oil, reconnected the battery, and......it started like it was never apart.
Even if the gasket wasn't leaking(I'm sure it was though) I'm glad I went in there and cleaned 17 years of crude away from the 3FE. What is that down there, an oil cooler? I replaced some broken split loam, and taped up some exposed electrical lines as well. Spreading the job out over the weekend, it took about 15 hours. Noticed I have more power since I cut the AC belt and left the compressor/Idler pulley/mount out for now, which reminds me.......
Is the AC mount used as a stiffener? It mounts high on the block and back down on the frame. Should i throw it back in or is it not needed?
1st pic...Rotor and dizzy position noted. How lucky for me!
2nd pic...Dirty pushrod cover
3rd pic...All cleaned up