[Shotimes] Oil in the plug tubes, etc.

[Mark D. Mallory]

This is a DIY job.  You can either buy all new gaskets or you can re-seal
the tube seals and the valve cover gaskets are re-usable.  If you want new
gaskets, you can order the gasket set from Fel-Pro at almost any autoparts
store.  The intake is incredibly easy to remove.  Literally, it's about 23
bolts (12 of which are the actual hold down bolts in among the snakes, and 4
only need to be loosened), a couple screws, and two pesky coolant lines at
the throttle body, and two PCV hoses.  For someone who has never done this
before, it'll take you about an hour to remove the intake. Experienced
people (read: done it at least once) can remove an intake in 20 min or less.
Valve covers have 8 bolts a piece (the shiny chromed bolts that you can
see).

When replacing the tube seals make sure to run a bead of Black RTV (make
sure it's O2 sensor safe) on BOTH the top and bottom surfaces of the seal.
Valve cover gaskets get a dab of RTV in areas with sharp corners.

Anyway, the job is not technical and can definitely be done at your house.
It can definitely be done in one day and does not require a lot of technical
know how.  I recommend that you pick up a Chilton's or Helm's so that you
have some thing to reference.  Both books have illustrations that will help
to give you an idea of what it is that you're doing.

(BTW, there is nothing wrong with the Chilton's manual.  It is not as
comprehensive, or expensive for that matter, as the Helm's.  However, beware
that the wiring diagram for the spark plug coil pack shown in the front of
the book under the general tune up section is misleading.  To get the proper
coil pack order you have to refer to the section on the electrical and
ignition systems.)

One thing to keep in mind is that your ATX may need to have it's 60k mile
service done to it.  For more information on that check out the FAQ at
www.SHOTimes.com and for more information about parts, prices, availability,
etc I would also check out:

Cincinnati SHO: www.cincysho.com (also has a comprehensive 60k explanation)
SHO Nut Performance: www.shonutperformance.com

If you need help... just ask.  Most of us are willing to lend a helping hand
and I'm sure you can find someone in your area that's experienced with this
sort of thing.

Mark Mallory
Toledo, Ohio
'95 SHO MTX


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathon Beisler" <JBEIS001@stvincentshealth.com>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 12:45 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] Oil in the plug tubes, etc.


> Hi all,
>
> I am new to the SHO business, having just bought a 94 ATX with 103,000
miles.
> When I looked in my plug tubes I saw that I have oil lit2erally above the
top
> of the plug in all three of the front cylinders.  I haven't checked the
back
> yet, but I assume they are the same.  A mechanic that I took it to said
that I
> would have to replace the rocker arm gaskets as well as the tube seals.
Does
> it really need the gaskets?  They're about $150 and no one seems to have
them
> aftermarket.  Since it probably hasn't had a tune up since new, I was
going to
> go ahead and do the wires, plugs, etc.  However, this is like a $700 job
at
> the shop.  Being only slightly mechanically inclined, how hard of a job is
it
> to remove everything, change everything and then put it back together
again
> with the hope of it actually running afterward?  I could save anywhere
from
> 300 to five hundred depending on what you guys say.  Any thoughts,
suggestions
> or comments about job or the honesty of the mechanic would be greatly
> appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Jon B.
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