Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

I am replacing my VC gaskets soon and was looking for any tips or things to look out for. I am pretty sure I have the proc. down, i have the gaskets and new grommets (sp?)

I also have a few questions

Should I use anything to seal the gaskets?

How bad if a little stuff (collected around the VC) falls in. I mean like old oil that's sludged up...obviously i'm going to clean the area and try to prevent that, but JIC.

Is there anything I should do to prep the gaskets...or the VC. anything that wouldn't be mentioned in the good ol' chiltons

Should I change the oil afterwards? I just did an oil change >500 miles ago so i hope not...

I switched to synthetic at 46K the car is now at 111K and went from 150 mi. a day to sitting (which is when the leak formed). Would there be any reason not to put synthetic back in?

Is there anything I left out??

TIA,
JRK

EDIT: 00 GTP

IF any "dirt" falls in, get it out as best you can, or it can damage your engine. If a little sludge from inside the engine dislodges, no biggie. Do not put any sealers on the gasket, as they could react with the material the gasket is made of and actually cause a leak. Staying with the synthetic won't hurt anything, but I have always felt synthetics are overkill for a non-modded daily driver and the rewards (if any) do not justify the extra cost.

IF any "dirt" falls in, get it out as best you can, or it can damage your engine. If a little sludge from inside the engine dislodges, no biggie. Do not put any sealers on the gasket, as they could react with the material the gasket is made of and actually cause a leak. Staying with the synthetic won't hurt anything, but I have always felt synthetics are overkill for a non-modded daily driver and the rewards (if any) do not justify the extra cost.


Thanks richtazz.

My car is lightly modded now with future plans for more, so I am glad I can keep the syn. and thank god it's no longer a daily driver...