Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Tappet cover gasket R&R?

[Johnstra]

What all is involved in replacing the tappet cover gasket? I might as well replace it while my p-pump is off. It's not leaking, but the gasket has lots of cracks around the edges.

Thanks,

-john

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Each cover has it's own individual gasket. I think the grey ones are the improved ones.

 

[Bandit1]

the tappet cover gasket is not hard to do you just have to remove a some parts to access it. this is not step by step but you have to remove the pump, injector lines, air intake, and a few other parts just to see the cover, then it has multiple bolts holding it on, takes about an hr to have the cover in site, i would say about 3 hrs and you can have it replaced. good luck

 

[Johnstra]

I've done all the above. So I just pull the cover and replace the gasket, that's it? Without knowing what's behind the cover I was a little nervous about removing it.



Btw... it took me more than an hour to get everything out of the way. The pump wouldn't come out without a serious tussle

 

[Twisted Shifter]

yea she is in a tight place ... . the pump that is lol ... ...



When I did mine I made it a little thicker with RTV

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I had my pump off, and at 382,000 the tapped gasket wasn't leaking enought to fool with IMO. I did find all the cover bolts pretty darned loose, so tightening them up probably solved what slight leakage I did have (damp enough to collect some dirt).



Vaughn

 

[Bandit1]

i guess giving an hr to do the job can only apply if you have the tools needed on hand, no distractions, an extra set of hands (pump is heavy) and are experienced in removing the pump, if i did it along it would have taken me longer since i dont quite have all the tools and i dont know by heart all steps in removing the pump (ie size of wrenches, what all needs disconnected) Doug Conrad and i had all parts removed and on the bench and were looking at the tappet cover in 1 hr or less when we replaced my tappet cover gasket. hope this helps, josh

 

[Johnstra]

It was definitely a little heavier than I expected. The key is to get all the crap (wire harnesses and throttle cables) out of the way. It's a real bear when it gets hung up and you have to balance it with one arm and use the other hand to untangle it. The worst part for me, though, was that sucker would not rock loose. It would wiggle like a loose tooth but not come off the gear housing without a real fight. But hey, it's off now and if I have to do it again some time I'll know better how to do it.

-john

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mine took quite a bit of wiggling off too. I used a prybar to gently coax it back off, worked pretty well. The funnest part for me was removing the lower mount bolt between the pump and the block. The fuel return line retaining nut underneath was fun too.



Putting the mount nut back on was even funner, but I came up with a little trick that worked great. Used a swivel socket then wrapped the nut with enough tefton tape to hold it snug in the socket. Then I used a zip tie around the swivel socket so I could grab the long end and help maneuver the socket. Worked like a charm, literally had the nut on and tightened down in 2 minutes.



Vaughn