Replacing valve cover gasket. Anything else to do while I've got the covers off?

[Lovely Bunny]

Hi all, I've got a little oil leak seeping from under my valve cover and I'm going to replace the gasket. I'm comfortable with this but wondering what else I might look for with the cover off? Anything in particular I should inspect or look for in there? Anything preventative it makes sense to do? It's an 88 Econline van with a 7.3 n/a. Thanks

 

[Oledirtypearl86]

Hi all, I've got a little oil leak seeping from under my valve cover and I'm going to replace the gasket. I'm comfortable with this but wondering what else I might look for with the cover off? Anything in particular I should inspect or look for in there? Anything preventative it makes sense to do? It's an 88 Econline van with a 7.3 n/a. Thanks

I always check to make sure the rocker bolts are tight and there isnt any rust growing on the rockers that's about it

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Check the underneath side of the valve covers and around the valve springs for signs of sooty looking residue. That is the first indication of an exhaust valve guide going bad. Other than that, these engine are pretty simple under the valve covers.

 

[Rusgo]

Not much in there. Just a valve train. Good time to look for metal shavings/milky oil/carbon build up

Rocker arms and pushrods last a long time. If you have valve train issues you typically hear it with lots of ticking or worse things while running

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

My first thought was to re-torque the head bolts. Might be too much at this time but really it's about an hour job once you have the covers off. Probably more because some are hard to get at and you need a 12-point 1/2" socket. Great insurance though.
Doh, van. Maybe you can't even get to them all. Probably a PITA.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Doh, van. Maybe you can't even get to them all. Probably a PITA.

It can be done. A head can be replaced in frame in a van. Is it a PITA? Most likely. I wasn't involved with the in frame head swap and I'm glad.