What is required to replace rear valve cover on 1996 valve cover 331 cu. in.

Check around the rear of the valve cover to see if you pinched a wire between the valve cover and head, if that's OK remove the spark plug and swap it with #3 and if the miss moves you have a defective spark plug. I hope this helps. Take care.

Oil leaking "in" your valve cover? Where is the oil at/coming from? And, to answar your question, rear main seal is a real job! Requires removing transmission, flex plate/fly wheel! It is the crank shaft seal, on the "rear" of the engine!

Remove the ignition coils or plug wires if they are located on/in the cover. Unbolt the cover and remove. Discard old rubber gasket and clean gasket channel of any oil or sludge formation. Install new gasket in channel securely and reinstall cover making sure not to dislodge gasket and reinstall bolts. The rear cover may require the removal of the upper intake manifold for access to the cover depending on which engine the car is equipped with. May not be a job for someone without engine experience

Remove the valve cover, which is a simple bolt on component. Remove the old gasket and install the new one.

REMOVAL

1. Remove front cover.
2. Remove oil filter adapter, pressure regulator valve and spring.

Fig. 16 Oil Pump & Housing

1. Remove oil pump cover attaching screws, then the cover and gears, Fig. 16 .

INSPECTION

1. Check pump cover and housing for cracks, scoring, porous or damaged casting, damaged threads or excessive wear or galling. Replace as required.
2. Check pressure regulator valve for scoring, burrs or sticking in valve bore. Replace as required.
3. Check pressure regulator valve spring for tension loss or bending, replace spring as required.
4. Check gears for chipping galling or excessive wear, replace as required.

Fig. 17 Oil Pump Inner Gear Tip Clearance Inspection

1. Measure oil pump inner gear tip clearance, Fig. 17 . Maximum clearance should be 0.006 inch.

Fig. 18 Oil Pump Outer Gear Diameter Clearance Inspection

1. Measure oil pump outer gear diameter clearance, Fig. 18 . Clearance should be 0.008-0.015 inch.

Fig. 19 Oil Pump Gear End Clearance Inspection

1. Measure oil pump gear end clearance with gear dropped in housing, FIG 19. Clearance should be 0.0010-0.0035 inch.
2. Measure pressure regulator valve for valve to bore clearance of 0.0015-0.003 inch.

INSTALLATION

1. Lubricate all gears with clean motor oil, then install gears in housing.
2. Pack pump cavity with suitable petroleum jelly.
3. Install pump cover and cover attaching screws. Tighten cover attaching screws to specifications.
4. Install pressure regulator valve and spring.
5. Install oil filter adapter using a new gasket, tighten oil filter adapter attaching bolts to specifications.
6. Install front cover on engine. During front cover installation, ensure inner pump gear is properly engaged on crankshaft sprocket.

Its kinda hidden at the back.. you can take off the upper intake plenum to gain a bit more access.. some people also take off the washer arm housing.. theres a few bolts under the cover that mount it to the firewall

most likely it is the valve cover gasket. it covers the valve train where there is alot of oil to lube the top of the motor. if the head gasket was leaking it may have more signs of running poorly. also having coolant leaks also. so i will have to say valve cover gasket. now usally you may have a oil burning smell with it depending on the area of the lek but not always.

the valve cover can easily be seen when the hood is open. it is right on the top and where it meets the clyinder head is where the gasket is and the leak can be seen.

if you have more question please ask.

It sounds like the expansion valve on the rear unit may be stopped up.To replace the valve requires the freon to be recovered and then removing the cover from the rear unit.Then remove the a/c lines to the unit.Then remove the mounting bolts and remove as a unit.Then either remove the screws or clips holding the two halves of the case together.You will now see the expansion valve.Very,very carefully loosen fittings and replace valve.

You will have to remove the valve cover and replace the gasket and seals on the cover and the spark plug tubes. It is not to bad unless it is the rear cover which can be some work.

the only way to replace the rear valve cover is to remove the upper intake....there is no easy way