do I really need the rtv on there? I have the upper plenum and valvecover off right now. I see in the corner where some rtv or similar was used(passenger side of motor). From the factory I guess? It just seems like with the rubber seal between the vc and head, no rtv would be needed. Older cars with the paper gaskets I understand the need. Is it because the cover doesn't quite fit tight right there? Anyone put their vc on without the rtv?

 

It's suggested in the FSM and a small pack is only a couple bucks....why not?

 

I put mine on without the RTV. The old RTV was still stuck to the engine though.

 

Finished in about 2 hours or so but had some friends come over to visit so my time was split up. Altogether not bad at all. Basically just need 10mm and 12mm sockets and extensions. I did put rtv on the corners of the timing cover. My vc was not cracked like I thought. My sparkplug seals were just HUGE allowing oil to slosh out of the vc and run down on exhaust manifolds. Back right plugs were covered with oil. Seriously, when I pulled the plugs oil was dripping off them! Measured the sparkplug tube seals and they were over an 1/8th inch difference from the old to the new. When putting on the new vc, I had to work the seals around the tubes slowly. Nice and tight. Need the front vc now because the tubes all had a little oil in them. Put in new factory NGK's while apart so hopefully my mileage will pick up a little. Max now has 156k on her. Also in need of the evap cannister and valve. SES light comes and goes due to that. Thanks guys!