MJPeabody88 Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 First time ever wrenching on a Jeep. Even though it’s something as simple as a new valve cover gasket, I’m smiling from ear to ear. Even while fighting the bolt closest to the firewall. This Comanche is my first Jeep I’ve ever owned. Now, I’m hooked. Love the platform. Everything about it is awesome and to have gotten lucky on one in such condition makes it even better. Restoration is super slight. Looking under the truck I found only one spot of rust on the bottom floor pan the size of a baby’s fist. Gosh I’m so freakin excited to work on this thing. Can’t wait to go out in the ocean to go scalloping. I’m going to order a crap ton of parts and buy a donor for the 4x4 swap. Glad to be apart of a forum with great advice and other members who understand that your a noob and don’t knock you down about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJPeabody88 Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 Under the valve cover looks pretty grimy. Would running seafoam in the oil take care of cleaning up the gunk or is there another option you’ve had good results with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 You and Kelly ought to get together..........lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 1 hour ago, MJPeabody88 said: Under the valve cover looks pretty grimy. Would running seafoam in the oil take care of cleaning up the gunk or is there another option you’ve had good results with? Plug the oil gallery return holes with pieces of rag, and clean out as much gunk as you can manually. Then spray liberally with carb cleaner or brake cleaner and sop up as much of the remaining gunk as you can with soft rags. THEN remove the plugs, replace the valve cover, and run it with a can of Seafoam. IMHO you don't want to just start running Seafoam. Think about it -- the Seafoam will dissolve or dislodge a bunch of ugly stuff. Where's that stuff going to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Eagle said: Plug the oil gallery return holes with pieces of rag, and clean out as much gunk as you can manually. Then spray liberally with carb cleaner or brake cleaner and sop up as much of the remaining gunk as you can with soft rags. THEN remove the plugs, replace the valve cover, and run it with a can of Seafoam. IMHO you don't want to just start running Seafoam. Think about it -- the Seafoam will dissolve or dislodge a bunch of ugly stuff. Where's that stuff going to go? I agree. You don't want to break a big piece of sludge free and end up having it clog up an oil passage in the engine. Get all of the big stuff out by hand and then use a cleaner in the oil for everything else. Of course, the best fix would be to take a time machine back to the 80s and change the oil on time, but unfortunately we can't do that. By the way, a u-joint and a deep well 7/16" socket (or a regular socket + extension) makes that back valve cover bolt easy pickings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Careful when you put the valve cover back on. Torque spec for the bolts is something like 7 lb-ft which isn't all that much more than snug. You don't want to crank them down, as it'll warp your valve cover and probably cause worse leaks than you started out with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJPeabody88 Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 Gave the valve cover a good 2 + hour scrubbing. The oil residue was terrible!!! Shes definitely going to get some well deserved attention. I did notice It didn’t take much to loosen the bolts to the valve cover. Half a turn then loosened by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 How's the residue on the upper side of the head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryptronic Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 17 hours ago, MJPeabody88 said: I did notice It didn’t take much to loosen the bolts to the valve cover. Half a turn then loosened by hand. Normal. Tighten back down to the same torque spec. I think it's 12 ft/lbs, but don't quote me on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJPeabody88 Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 3 hours ago, kryptronic said: Normal. Tighten back down to the same torque spec. I think it's 12 ft/lbs, but don't quote me on that. Any help is greatly appreciate!!! Figured 7-12 would be a good range of play. So used to work on my Diesel engine. Easy to over tighten without a torque wrench. Might as well get my daughter to tighten them for me. Hahaha!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJPeabody88 Posted March 25, 2019 Author Share Posted March 25, 2019 She may break em off though. Definitely a daddy’s girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJPeabody88 Posted March 26, 2019 Author Share Posted March 26, 2019 On 3/24/2019 at 4:09 PM, Eagle said: How's the residue on the upper side of the head? Sorry didn’t see your comment but it’s a thin layer of grim. No huge chunks. Thought of introducing a little seafoam at a time. I always start the truck and let it run a few times a week. Drop the oil and change it periodically as intended. Worse comes to worse, I plan on Getting a good donor Cherokee with a fresher motor and drivetrain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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