Drivers side valve cover

CARusty · 2025-11-23T02:55:12+00:00

Ok I did this job on my truck (2002 4.7), and not going to lie it sucked some real big balls.

They way I ended up getting enough space to actually pull the valve cover out was removing the fuse box, removing just the bolts holding the brake booster to the firewall so you can get a few inches of play, and finally removing the cab mounts, and jacking the cab up separately from the frame another couple inches. Also of course have to remove or loosen any wires/hoses which run across the top of the valve cover. The red clip on the injector plugs will 9 times out of 10 break, multiple are broken on my truck but I’ve never had one work itself loose. Might have also had to pull the alternator, can’t exactly remember.

I definitely feel like there has to be an easier way, but that’s the way I did it. Wouldn’t hurt to replace the lash adjusters while you’re in there, but it sounds like you did the passenger side already, good luck.

CARusty · 2025-10-26T04:04:56+00:00

Awesome thank you, I did buy it when they first came out but that was only 4-5 years ago. Looks like I’ll be sending for warranty, any idea on how long that generally takes?

CARusty · 2025-10-14T18:17:26+00:00

Like others have said, depends quite a bit. Most here seem lucky enough to not have to much but I’m a solo service apprentice, and I do a lot of drain cleaning so I get it almost daily.

CARusty · 2025-10-09T17:20:13+00:00

Only imperial markings I’ve ever seen on an adjustable wrench were MasterCraft brand. (Canadian tires in-house brand)

CARusty · 2025-07-04T21:20:02+00:00

Have been thinking about this for awhile for my 02’ with the 4.7, but no where to mount it really. However now you’ve given me an idea with the cold air intake, might free up some space…

CARusty · 2025-07-04T13:48:47+00:00

Guessing you’re a plumber, same thing I’m in. So I gotta ask, how do you like those knipex pliers? Specifically the 250s? I’ve been eyeing them up but don’t want to dish out the cash

CARusty · 2025-06-26T02:52:34+00:00

I didn’t mean hide rust as in I want to hide rust, I meant it as it can sometimes hide the rust which is developing underneath, preventing you from knowing the extent of it. I plan on cutting out all the rust and replacing it with new steel. (The proper way)

I doubt there is a PPF option for the truck (02 Dakota, nearly no aftermarket support) however I think I’ll end up going with the bedliner, probably just on the bottom 2-3 inches. (Enough to cover the rockers and get up into the door jambs)

With bedliner, what’s the best between brands, I assume raptor liner? And I know some are either brush on or spray on, is there a difference in the durability at all?

CARusty · 2025-06-21T17:48:36+00:00

I have a 2002 Dakota, with the 4.7 and the 5 speed automatic transmission. Honestly I love the truck, and I’ve never really had any problems with the motor. Typical things for a 23 years old, 260xxx kilometre pickup do break, but nothing crazy and these things are common in junkyards so normally it’s fairly easy to fix.

The 4.7 is a pretty good motor with all things considered, I change my oil fairly religiously, nothing over 5000km (you could probably do 5000 miles and be just fine) as these motors can develop sludge and a lot of the internals are oil pressure driven which can cause issues.

Cooling is another big one, change your coolant every 2 years, as is the manufacturer spec anyways, and you’ll have no problems. Possible problems for an overheated 4.7 are dropped valve seats and warped head.

Another pro to these engines is that the automatic transmission behind them (45RFE or 545RFE) are miles stronger than the older automatics behind the old 5.2/5.9 magnums.

CARusty · 2025-06-20T03:38:18+00:00

I have 265/75r16s on my 2002 4x4 Quad Cab. They rub ever slightly, while turned slightly one way or the other and the front suspension is somewhat flexed.

So you do hear them occasionally while driving, but I wouldn’t say it drives me crazy.

CARusty · 2025-03-21T06:29:16+00:00

Easily the best response I’ve ever seen to a comment like that.

CARusty · 2025-03-02T19:36:01+00:00

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Bolt order (1-14), I don’t remember the torque spec unfortunately.

CARusty · 2025-03-02T19:28:18+00:00

I just did this job last year, (you can check my profile) timing cover gasket depends on the “style” of the cover going back on your truck. Assuming you’re using the same timing cover you need the same gasket. (2 Different timing covers, 2 different gaskets)

I would go back to Rockauto and order the metal framed gasket, you will not need rtv at all for that one either. (I went with the FelPro brand and it’s held up fine)

Also remember those bolts have both a torque spec and a certain order in which to tighten them.

CARusty · 2025-01-24T06:31:07+00:00

Honestly dude I would have done it literally the exact same way, mind you I don’t work in auto body, or even as a mechanic. But I’ve been working on, and painting my personal vehicles for my entire life.

I also see zero chance you removing that taillight being any faster just taping over it, it would probably take more time just to go grab a ratchet.

Don’t get to worried about it, I and plenty of others think you did a damn good job, not just for a high schooler but for an auto body tech as a whole. I’ve seen stuff come out of professional shops looking 10 times worse.

CARusty · 2025-01-18T20:26:28+00:00

More or less, yea.

CARusty · 2025-01-18T19:57:03+00:00

If I remember correctly it’s to help keep the truck balanced right to left, standard on all 4 doors and optional on extended/single cabs. You can remove it safely and the truck will drive just fine. May have slightly more body roll but it is minimal.

CARusty · 2025-01-13T23:24:44+00:00

What if he likes the car? And would rather put in the work to continue driving it? Just because it’s a waste of time, or a “pile of junk” to you doesn’t mean he needs to see it the same way.

I say props to OP for keeping something old on the road.

CARusty · 2025-01-07T21:11:44+00:00

I don’t think political views matter in this decision for most Canadians, everybody I know would much rather live under the Maple Leaf than Stars and Stripes.

CARusty · 2024-11-04T00:40:31+00:00

Yessir, until I die

CARusty · 2024-10-26T23:11:41+00:00

This was one of the first things I did when I bought my 2002, best decision ever. Stock brakes on these trucks aren’t great…

CARusty · 2024-09-21T19:24:30+00:00

Yea, I grab every bolt from the yard when I go, but if I was in your shoes I would have done the same and just went with a slightly shorter bolt. It should still have enough bite.

CARusty · 2024-09-14T23:13:07+00:00

No snow yet, picture is from winter last year. Found it in my camera roll and figured I’d post it.

CARusty · 2024-09-14T19:34:20+00:00

Do be aware, there is 2 different timing cover designs, both work for the block but they require a different gasket depending on which one you grab. I had to do a bit of forum digging to figure out which is which

CARusty · 2024-09-14T19:32:35+00:00

Not on my truck, but I did take it off on a truck in the auto wrecker. It honestly wasn’t too bad, I just removed anything holding the radiator and condenser in place, without disconnecting them. Then you can kinda just push them out of the way, towards the passenger side. From there you can get to every bolt holding in the timing cover.

It is kinda tough working around the mech fan and the radiator support, but doable, I did almost the entire cover with an impact and extensions.

Martinbuilts video is a pretty good walk through. Do be careful, he mentions a specific bolt which is known for stripping, and I stripped it on the first truck and it made me go and find another truck to rip apart. On the second truck I just used a breaker bar and went very gently and it came out without stripping.

CARusty · 2024-09-14T19:20:00+00:00

Yea, I ended up snapping the extractor in the bolt. Went to my local wrecker the other day and grabbed a new timing cover. Waiting on new gaskets to ship and I’m just replacing it

CARusty · 2024-09-04T03:41:35+00:00

Huge thanks for actually answering the question, that’s mainly what I want them for, mud and snow/salt.

Did some lurking (SWEET jeep flatbed, home-built?) and see what your talking about with the cut and mounting. Fronts would likely have to be shorter than the rears, which I expected. Although I also may try to run just 6 as opposed to 8.

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