Valve Cover Gasket - grand prix

[kamposs]

Can someone clarify how to remove the valve cover itself on a 99 grand prix? I found a video for a buick, and they are saying to remove engine mount brackets, but it doesn't look like they are in the way on the grand prix. I also found some posts for other 3800s but not any grand prixs.

It looks to me like just 4 bolts holding it on, but I might need to move some stuff. I took a photo and circled the bolts that i can see, other than that, i am not sure what else needs to be taken off or moved for the process.

 

[kamposs]

I found a post by Bill Boost. He says what to do for a 2001, are these the same steps for a 1999? Seems like a lot more work than necessary, but I could be wrong. It says:

Re: valve cover gasket

1. Disconnect negative battery terminal
1a. Remove passenger side dog bone 15mm from rad support to engine bracket.
2. Unhook 7mm icm connector.
2a. Disconnect all plug wires at coil packs
3. Remove both belts
4. Remove 13/15mm nut holding ground to ICM stud (above and right of the water pump)
5. Remove ribbed idler pulley (15mm)
6. Remove SC tensioner (13mm nut in middle of tensioner pivot), and set assembly aside.
7. Loosen 15mm nut on front ICM stud
8. Remove 13mm/15mm nut holding ground wire to stud. Then 15mm to remove stud
9. Using E torx bit, loosen and remove the two studs from the head while supporting coil pack bracket.
10. Valve cover is now fully accessable. Change gasket/grommets and clean surfaces.
11. Reassemble.

Rear:
1. Remove alternator 13mm/15mm and SC to alt support bracket with Evap etc.
2. Loosen all bolts 13mm/15mmon the alternator bracket. (Key is you are going to wiggle this instead of draining coolant)
3. Remove map bracket and EGR shield 10mm
4. Wiggle alt bracket to clear the valve cover and do the gasket.
​

 

[FordMan77]

Yep. Same proceedure for the 99's. I'd follow Bill's writeup so there aren't any issues.