19 Jun 09 06:59, Roger Nelson wrote to Roy Witt:


 RW>> I'm going to swap out the aluminum 1.6:1 shaft/roller rockers on the
 RW>> 56 for 1.5:1 ball/roller rockers, with new pushrods. I'm doing this
 RW>> because the 'tall' valve covers require that I remove the alternator
 RW>> and air compressor from the engine to get the covers off (I'd like
 RW>> to check the lash every so often). The new rockers allow me to use
 RW>> stock height valve covers, which will clear the obstruction made by
 RW>> the AC bracket, which is bolted behind the alternator bracket. The
 RW>> label on the gasket box says that they're 'molded rubber w/steel
 RW>> shim core'. I always glue the gaskets to the valve cover, so they'll
 RW>> stay in place when I R&R the covers. The rubber on these gaskets has
 RW>> the consistency of the rubber on racing slicks, very sticky. That
 RW>> and the steel shim should make them seal pretty good on the head w/o
 RW>> glueing them down.

 RN> Don't forget to wash your hands!

Andrew came over and saw the new parts and asked what they were for. I
told him if he came over in his work duds, I would instruct him in what to
do to get the job done. :o) He's not much of a mechanic, farming out
everything he does between two shops here in town.

 RN> I'm now wondering what kind of engine the 2000 Merc has in it and if
 RN> it's anything like the one I have, which is a royal pain to change
 RN> the spark plugs on.

It's a 4.6L overhead cam V8. I understand they're (plugs) right there on
top (verticle to the piston), but a royal pain to swap. I don't know if
they're the same as some I've seen come out of the Ford pickups, which has
a shielded extension that usually breaks off in the cylinder and has to be
fished out when the plug is removed. Carbon buildup around that shield
holds it in place so it comes off when you loosen the plug. Even running
some engine cleaner through it before you loosen them doesn't seem to work
very well.

                R\%/itt

Joy lives in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in
the victory itself.

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