How do u Polish the valve cover? and how hard is it to change the gasket?

[FSDET]

....

[blynzoo]

Well, you just polish it....you can use wet paper, or a polishing wheel attachment to a drill, or have it taken to a shop to get it polished...or chromed.

And no, the gasket is easy to replace. Just get a new replacement, and you will need a razorblade and some sort of cleanser to be sure to get all the old gasket gunk off.

[Brian MP5T]

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/30112003%20233.jpg

1. Go to Mazda and get a new gasket, they are $30-$40 and you should replace it IMO.

2. Get some "Wet Sand" sandpaper ranging form 200 grit to as small as you can. I have had as small as
8 Micron from a body shop. Normal paper felt more abrasive than this stuff.

3. In a laundry sink or outside on a table with the hose handy, begin with the 200 and a palm sander on all
the flat surfaces with the water flowing over the surface.

4. Get all the other surfaces by hand.

5. Keep going until you are at your highest number paper.

6. Polish with a compound and a terry cloth towel.

7. Replace and enjoy!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/30112003%20189.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/Cover%204.jpg

[FSDET]

very nice. mp5t. where can i buy a new valve cover from ? just to paint it (my car is a daily driver) and what are the torque specs on the bolts since theres a gasket.

[peepsalot]

This might be a dumb question, but do yo have to drain your oil or coolant to remove a valve cover? Does anything flow through there?

[FSDET]

its not a dumb question haha i would like to know that too.

[vindication]

no, just make sure you cover it with some shop towels so no dirt gets in there while the cover is off

[Brian MP5T]

very nice. mp5t. where can i buy a new valve cover from ? just to paint it (my car is a daily driver) and what are the torque specs on the bolts since theres a gasket.

They are $300.00 CDN from Mazda but you shoul dbe able to find one at a scrap yard ro under $100.00.

I got a second one from when I bought a new motor for the rebuild. I have been polishing it and selling them for $100.00 to Ottawa Protege Owners Club Members and then taking the one that was on their car and starting again. So far I have sold 4. No Requirent for it to be "Torqued" just make it snug because the gasket will only seat properly when not over tight...

i would just take it off the day you planned to paint it and leave a clean towel on the cams until you are finished.

[Brian MP5T]

This might be a dumb question, but do yo have to drain your oil or coolant to remove a valve cover? Does anything flow through there?

No, Gravity holds the oil in the pan unless the motor is running.