I am lost right now... Need help.

[defensa24]

Hello,

I have a 1994 Toyota Camry 4Cyl LE (That's all I know about the car) It's got 228,000 miles and I've recently did an oil change, changed the brake pads, and installed a new radiator and thermostat.

Right now, I'm in the process of changing the timing belt and water pump but I've ran into some issues. (I've been following this tutorial - DIY: GEN3 Timing Belt + Waterpump + Oil Seal Change - Part 1 )

I got everything off up until the crankshaft pulley. I have no special service tool for it and so I decided to try the starter bump method. For that, I needed to take off the spark plugs, (something I should have done since the beginning right?) Well, the little boot that goes at the end of the spark plug wire got stuck to the spark plug inside the hole. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get the little rubber end out. So I read somewhere that as a last resort, I needed to take off the valve cover. So I did just that. I don't think in the end it helped much, but I got the rubber end out and I was able to remove all spark plugs after that.

So now, I have the valve cover off and spark plugs out and I bought new spark plugs and wires and even a new gasket for the valve cover along with some High Temp RED RTV. What do I do now? My original goal was to replace the timing belt and water pump. Do I put back the valve cover and seal it back up completely? Do I replace the valve gasket or just put the RTV? (it doesn't seem to be in too bad of a shape) The valve cover is covered in oil though. It's really dirty compared to the ones seen on this forum. Do I clean it up? With what? Any help is appreciated and I know this is a long read.

TL;DR -
Need to change water pump and timing belt
Decided to also do spark plug and wire set change because I couldn't remove one spark plug to do starter bump to remove crankshaft pulley.
I opened the valve cover; bought new valve cover gasket and RTV
Valve cover is covered in oil/grease.

What's my next step?

Edit: Pics

[ty**20]

Since you already have the new valve cover gasket and spark plugs etc, I would install all of them on. Then go back to and bump the starter. I wouldn't clean the engine at that mileage. I would just use high mileage oil. Running a bottle of brake cleaner under the valve cover should clear thing up a bit.

[hill8570]

Inside of the valve cover, camshaft, etc. look fine, especially for the mileage. I'd just clean the gasket mating surfaces well, put on a new valve cover gasket (don't forget the four gaskets for the plug holes), RTV the sharp bends, and seal 'er up. If you get bored in the future, feel free to clean up the outside of the valve cover, but it's not hurting a doggone thing.