I've torn these engines down and reassembled many times. I'll be pulling mine out and tearing it down to the shortblock very soon to replace the cam and lifters (AFM delete), all seals and gaskets, etc.
Valley cover gasket would be super easy and a half day job taking your time. I'd make it a full day job with all the extra studying and cleaning I'd be doing, particularly with the intake manifold. Having a "dry" intake manifold makes these things so easy to work on.
I don't know what your timeframe is looking like, but if I do mine before you do yours and if time allows, I'll try to remember to take pics of the process. I don't see myself being in a rush since I'm now planning on having my heads lightly worked over. That alone makes it a multi-week process instead of a one-weekender.
The basics off the top of my head:
Remove the beauty cover
Relieve the fuel system pressure and disconnect the lines
Remove the intake tube from the TB
Unplug the TB, all injectors and all sensors. The injector clips are about the hardest part of the whole process)
Loosen the IM bolts (they're captured so just loosen 'til they can be pulled up)
Remove the IM
Plug intake ports in heads with shop towels or painter's tape
Clean off valley cover
Remove valley cover bolts
Remove valley cover
I'd inspect the IM for oil in the back of it and thoroughly clean the TB and insides of the IM, including the runners with a baby bottle brush, engine degreaser, spray from the water hose nozzle, brake parts cleaner and blow dry with compressed air.
Thanks man!!
should I replace the oil pressure switch and screen while it is apart? Do I have to worry about knock sensors in the cover? I seen that in some videos but I think that is for the vortex motors? Is there orings Under the cover? I hate typing on the damn phone!!!!
