So it looks like I spoke too soon about a great season with the 96 GTS.....

**dodgestang** · 11-05-2014

Not yet....I got distracted with a broken daily driver....but another weekend is coming now....

**The Stig** · 11-05-2014

I use nothing but VSP head gaskets from Dan on my Gen 2 for my top end upgrades to gen 3

**Fatboy 18** · 11-06-2014

Found some pics here of timing cover gasket strip down
http://s789.photobucket.com/user/The...?sort=3&page=1

Are you handy with spanners? Timing Cover Gasket is not that hard to do, yes its a big job but I managed it OK. It took me longer than an Auto shop but at least I could clean up everything to make it look brand new again

I did mine in 2010, only difference between your car and mine is that the coolant was leaking to the outside of the cover not the inside (mixing with oil).
Chuck Tator provided me with everything I needed, Timing cover Gasket, Thermostat Gasket, 180 Thermostat, Crankshaft Oil seal, etc etc....

Don't feel your alone, its what the forums are for, any questions or pics needed just ask

Also found this :Use A torque wrench!
Use a fricken torque wrench- I did it by hand a month ago and tightened them on the light side to avoid damaging the aluminum- It was too tight and because of that the gasket broke on me

Now I'm re-doing the damn thing with a torque wrench- On the bright side I was able to get everything off in 45 min this time..lol practice makes perfect-

heres the steps-

1) remove airbox
2) remove metal diagonal cross member
3) drain oil
4) remove 4 bolts on front bottom of oil pan
5) remove oil filter adapter 4 bolts(DO NOT REMOVE OIL LINES)
6) loosen half way the rest of the oil pan bolts so the pan drops 1 inch-
7)remove water pump pully/ bolts
8) remove water pump /bolts
9)remove alternator
10)remove crank pulley(hex bolts)
11)remove crank bolt- 31mm shorty socket

12)remove harmonic balancer with a puller- you may need slightly longs bolts that u can get at Ace hardware-(PUT THE CRANK BOLT BACK IN BEFORE YOU DO THIS- FOR THE PULLER ROD TO PUSH AGAINST)

13) loosen the 2 long bolts on the bottom drivers side thing attached to the timing cover- pull them out over half way.

14)remove the cam position sensor- you juts need to loosen the 1 bolt a bit and it pulls out- (BEFORE YOU PULL IT OUT MARK WITH A PEN EXACTLY WHERE ITS BOLTED IN- IF YOU RE INSTALL IT TOO FAR IN IT WILL SHEAR THE TIP OFF AND YOU'LL NEED A NEW ONE AND TO REMOVE THE CRAP)

15) remove the 14mm timing cover bolts/timing cover-

16) carefully remove the timing cover

17) if you add a chemical solvent or gobs of silicone it will help you remove the old gasket easier- remove gasket-

18) when you re-install- replace the water pump gasket-oil adapter gasket-- and front crank seal-

19) do not put the crank seal on the timing cover until after you re install the timing cover- crank seal gos on last.

20) USE A TORQUE WRENCH ON ALL THE BOLTS YOUR REINSTALLING- CHECK THE CORRECT FT /LBS

**dodgestang** · 11-06-2014

Thanks for the steps......it solidifies that its a job I don't want to do

And that isn't because I couldn't do it. I just don't want to do it. I work on my mustangs all the time, I didn't want to have to work on this car. Its like working on a daily driver to me....something I hate to do.

**Fatboy 18** · 11-06-2014

I would offer to pop over and give you a hand, but the Airfare would not be cost effective

**dodgestang** · 11-07-2014

I can have it shipped.......

**dodgestang** · 11-20-2014

Good news today on the Viper. Timing cover gasket changed. Oil pan dropped and cleaned. Valve covers pulled and cleaned. New oil cooler installed. Car fires right up, holds temp, doesn't leak, and doesn't show signs of milk shake anymore. AC also blows cold air again. Last up is still trying to figure out the battery drain issue....