Finally replaced the M60 valve cover gaskets...

[632 Regal]

So after this project I have smelled burning oil. First found cause was the filler cap, got a new on that was crooked.. functional but looks stupid so it was returned. Stole the cap gasket off the E46 so that leak is stopped. Still getting burning oil smell... reach along the bottom of the valve covers and they are both leaking. Porous valve covers? Pull, glue and seal? Ebay ones are expensive so we went to the local pull-a-part since they had a 540 to check out.

Valve covers were still on the engine so started to take them off. I checked the oil level just for fun to see if it was enticing enough to score the entire engine for like $159.00. No oil on dipstick but didn't smell funny. It's a huge chore to pull an engine in this place and if it's bad you can return it only for a credit, no cash back so I decided we will just do the covers.

Deja vu, these covers are disintegrating like the ones I have. both sides 1 plastic cover bolt is stripped, they pull right out. I continue with determination because I figure I can spend time to make these "not leak". The other one looks like it may have stripped and someone attempted to 'weld' it back to existence but it was a total fail. No other idea with this crap.

The gray stuff is like magnesium diluted with some sort of decomposition acid. It does seem oily but is more than oil, the composition is eating away at the metal.

Here are pics of how these disintegrate:







Anyways we scored the amp and a couple free bonus parts that were accidentally not mentioned upon checkout... Including a oil rail, 8 coils, some gaskets, fog light bracket, a set of the elusive 10 dollar each acorn nuts and some other stuff.