Replacing Valve Cover Gaskets - A True Write Up - **PICTURES**

Half Moons

Has anyone NOT replaced the half moons and just cleaned and resealed them without any problem?

Wondering just because I'm having trouble tracking 4 down at a decent price. I would rather replace but I'm about ready to get the job done and the half moons are the last thing I'm trying to track down.
 
Justin2024 said:
Has anyone NOT replaced the half moons and just cleaned and resealed them without any problem?

Wondering just because I'm having trouble tracking 4 down at a decent price. I would rather replace but I'm about ready to get the job done and the half moons are the last thing I'm trying to track down.
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If you're referring to the aluminum half moons at the end of the cams, I think most people don't replace them. As long as you remove them carefully and don't damage them - there shouldn't be a problem with cleaning and resealing, just be careful when you clean them that you use a soft brush, the aluminum isn't very hard.
 
Tips and tricks

First, thank you for this thread OP and thank you timmy the toolman for your VCG video.

Here are some tips and tricks I learned that are not posted.

1. The coolant lines on throttle body can be very hard to take off. I used a small pick to pry the hose ends to break up whatever was making it stuck. I then used a trim removal tool (while simultaneously clamping the hose clamps with vice grips) to slide the hoses off.
2. The bracket behind the cam plugs did not have to come off. The wiring harness that’s attached to the bracket on passenger side near the firewall can just be unclipped.I left mine on and was still able to clean the groove with a rag and screwdriver.
3. The valve covers have notches where you can use a pry bar to pop them up after you’ve obviously removed all the bolts and are ready to take the covers off.
4. Just take lots of pics as you go so you know where things go.
The job took me 1 day (literally 22-24hrs lol)

Again thank you for the post and I hope this helps someone out.
 
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The bear said:
Hi guys, do you know what kind of valve cover bolts do we have? I've managed to lose one.
Click to expand...

Take another one out, go to the hardware store with the bolt, match up the size and thread pitch and buy yourself one. Or, go to your local Toyota dealer and I'm sure they'll sell you one. If you're missing the washer, which you most likely are, you won't be able to find that at the hardware store. It's a special type of washer with one side rubberized. You'll have to get that online or at the dealership.
 
So the valve cover bolts are 6mm x 1. Which is the regular m6.

And thanks to this writeup and mtbtim's video the whole gasket change went surprisingly easy. Thank you guys.
 
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I’m going to remove the plenums in 2 pieces to replace the gasket but I’m curious, has anyone been able to remove them as one piece? Guy a few pages back was the only person I’ve seen that said it can be done. I don’t know if there’s enough clearance for the hidden bold to be removed
 
Pj Benn said:
I’m going to remove the plenums in 2 pieces to replace the gasket but I’m curious, has anyone been able to remove them as one piece? Guy a few pages back was the only person I’ve seen that said it can be done. I don’t know if there’s enough clearance for the hidden bold to be removed
Click to expand...

That guy did say he did it but I really don't see the big deal of separating the two halves. It's beyond easy and not that much more time.
 
Yep, it'll come off in one piece if it matters.
 

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heat said:
Yep, it'll come off in one piece if it matters.
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It doesn't really matter in my opinion. If you plan on putting it back on like that and you're going to torque the fasteners, how are you going to torque the long center bolt of the lower plenum? Even with a crows foot hooked up to a torque wrench you won't be able to get in there. I still don't understand what this gains, maybe 5 minutes of wrenching time? As part of this job, it's smart to replace both plenum gaskets anyway, so again, I don't see the benefit to removing it as one piece. But hey, to each his own.
 
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
Isn't there one long, black bolt you can't get to(or at least is hard to get to) with the top plenum on?
Click to expand...

There is John. He had to obviously get in their with a open end wrench or better yet a ratcheting box end wrench to get at that center bolt. I don't get it like I said in my above response. Remove the upper plenum first. It takes like 5 minutes tops.
 
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