me and a friend took off the top of the crankcase on his 96' max... it looks pretty dirty inside it .....

if you guys dont know what part of engine I am talking about it is the metal "engine cover" right above the camshafts ..... and I dont mean the spark plug cover on the outside ......

also any specific things that have to be delt with carefully when putting this engone cover back???

 

anyone.......?

 

You are talking about the valve cover. If you want to clean it you can do so with an engine degreaser, but be sure to wash it all off and let it dry before putting it back on.
When you put it back on be sure you get the gasket in the right place so you don't leak any oil in the future. Tighten the nuts in cross patterns as well (i.e. left bottom, right top, left top, right bottom, etc.).
I've taken mine off twice without any problems, but if you take it off too much you should probably replace the gasket.
-hype

 

Use engine degreaser for the light residue first. Brush it with a tooth brush. Rinse off and let it dry. Then use carb cleaner on the caked on residue second. Carb cleaner works better when the part is dry. You will need to use the whole can if the motor has more than 80K miles.

Here's a Honda valve cover I cleaned with the above method.

http://photos.imageevent.com/1max2nv...e/DCP00838.JPG

 

The older I get, the more I sound like my father. Why the heck do you want to "clean the inside of the engine block"? In the first place, you've pulled off the valve cover. You're looking at the top of the cylinder head. There's probably a coating of brown varnish on everything except the cam lobes and lifter faces. Leave it there. It's not hurting anything. If any real dirt has gotten in there while the cover has been off, you can get it out using a clean rag soaked with engine oil. Assuming, of course that the cams and lifters are still absolutely clean. DO NOT use degreaser or carb cleaner anywhere near the valve train components. You'll strip the oil off them and dilute the oil in the crank case.

As far as putting it back together, when you go buy the new valve cover gasket, buy a Haynes manual for the car. Follow the torquing procedure if there is one. Usually you start in the center and work your way out in a cross pattern.

 

thanx for the help guys....

we have already bought a haynes manual like a year ago so we new what we were doing ..... hmm I never knew you could reuse the gasket.... got a new one too

 

It's not advisable to resuse gaskets, but it can be done. If it causes problems down the line it's time for a new one.
-hype

 

So do it or not man???????

 

Well...he's asking about the valve cover so "YES" he can take that part off and clean it. If he wants to clean the valve train, I would assume he would take the head off.