How to take the valve cover off a 4AGE ST?

[rollakid690]

I want to paint my valve covers, since I'd be entering a show soon..
I effed up my first DIY attempt, and now, wanting to do it the right way, I've decided to make another attempt, but this time, I'd take off the valve covers. hehe..



Where do I start?

Btw, here's another pic of the engine, when I was still buying it from a shop..
Would anyone know what gen of the Silvertop this is? Thanks.



Any help would be much appreciated guys.

[Hook]

Get yourself a #5 allen key and a 12 socket and ratchet. You may need two flat head screwdrivers to pry the cover off.

The intake pan cover is easy, just the allen key is all you need.

To take off the valve cover, first use the allen key to take off the four allen screws holding the timing belt cover and the six allen screws holding the spark plug cover. Take these parts off (you will need to remove the oil cap to take off the spark plug cover).

You will see 3 bolts across the length of the valve cover, we'll get to those in a bit.

Remove the plug wires (you can leave the plugs, unless you're taking this opportunity to check/replace them) and the PVC valve and also the hose that runs from the end of the valve cover to the intake hose.
Also, loop the section of the harness that runs on the valve cover onto the side by the camshaft gears. You can take the opportunity to inspect this wire loom and replace it as well, since it gets brittle with engine heat.

Now, take your 12socket and ratchet and loosen the three bolts. When you've got them all out, it may take some force to get the cover off, so very carefully use two flat blade screwdriver and pry diagonally opposite ends off, CAREFULLY. Just get an edge under each end and walk it out carefully
You do not want to damage the rubber seal on the underside of the cover.

Once you've got it off you can go to town on it. I simply sanded mine down to bare metal and polished the bejeezus out of it with Autosol and did some minor cosmetic work to the air pan cover and plastic covers with some Krylon textured paint and black high temperature paint for BBQ grills (I did the exhaust heat shield in just the black though).