Best Valve Cover Gaskets 3.4L?

[Speedy]

Got started. Not too bad just a little time consuming. [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] was right on the time. Took me 2 hours to get them removed. Not sure how Toyota does the whole job in 3 hours.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Got started. Not too bad just a little time consuming. [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] was right on the time. Took me 2 hours to get them removed. Not sure how Toyota does the whole job in 3 hours.

I'm betting they don't do it that quick. A very common complaint among mechanics is that book times are way too short and it screws them over.

 

[Speedy]

Probably right and I wouldn't want them rushing to beat the clock.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Probably right and I wouldn't want them rushing to beat the clock.

In some cases on newer vehicles the discrepancies are egregious. I watch a fair amount of mechanic youtube channels. One had something that had a book time of like 3 hours but it requires half disassembling the truck to get to the one part and is a 24 hour job. Engineers come up with these book times, you'd almost think they did this stuff on purpose to make a mechanics life hell...

 

[kevin8629]

Just use OEM parts. Also, this job isn't just valve cover gaskets if you want to do it right. You should also be replacing the cam plugs on the rears of the heads, you should be removing and resealing the 4 half moons on the heads, you should replace the spark plug tube seals, you should buy new valve cover bolt washers, you should replace both plenum gaskets, you should consider replacing the throttle body gasket, you should consider replacing the PCV valve and grommet, you should consider replacing the spark plugs and spark plug wires while doing this job and you should consider cleaning your throttle body, IAC, and MAF sensor while doing this job.

In regards to the RTV or FIPG to use, I recommend you go with the Toyota 103 FIPG (black) The red FIPG is for transmission, transfer cases and differentials. Don't do what the write-up suggests and put a huge bead of RTV on the heads. That is totally unnecessary. Ramon did a great job on his write-up for this job, but his application of FIPG was pretty ridiculous and way overkill. You only need to put it over the half moon junctures and in the corners of the cam humps. You also need to put some onto the cam plug collars when installing the new cam plugs. The cam plugs Do Not require FIPG on them like some guys do. The cam plugs have a rubberized outer surface and that makes a seal with the head and collar just fine. Adding FIPG to the cam plugs is just going to make it a nightmare to clean out the old FIPG at the back of the heads if you ever have to perform this job again. Good luck!

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Asbsolutly replace those back cam seals. That is where my leak was coming from

 

[Speedy]

I went with the wrinkle red.

 

[Spiker Engineering]

I went with the wrinkle red.

I like it! I bet that hot rod red adds about 5 hp, just from the looks of it :thumb:

 

[Speedy]

I like it! I bet that hot rod red adds about 5 hp, just from the looks of it :thumb:

LOL thanks. I had to do something, the raw aluminum just looked bad as you can see in the photos. It was either the wrinkle red or a metallic gloss silver. I think the red will go good with the supercharger.

 

[Speedy]

It's done. Turned out better than I expected. The red goes great with the supercharger and you see just enough for it to be an accent and not over whelming.

I'd give this job a 3 outta 10 for difficulty. Pretty easy really. I had to split it up over a few days since that wrinkle red paint takes so long to "cure". Like 48 hours minimum, but that gave me time to slow down and really take my team cleaning everything up so it worked out.

Full details in my build thread for those that wanna follow a long.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-...late-than-never-build-thread.html#post3781213

I'm gonna have to detail the engine compartment to confirm I don't have any other oil leaks. Hard to tell form all the gook from the valve cover leaks.