Side/ tappet cover

[TRENDZ]

Hey guys, I'm wondering if it's common to have an oil leak from the tappet cover on the side of the block. I had a 90 with realatively low miles, and it never leaked anywhere other than the rear main seal, which I fixed. I work on all sorts of off road equiptment with this engine and have never had a leaking tappet cover. The one on this truck was a minor leak until it started getting cold outside.

[PToombs]

It's old enough the gasket is probably hard and brittle, mine was. I pulled it off in pieces. I'm glad I did it when I did, I had the head off anyways, so it wasn't a big deal to pull the IP and replace the gasket.

[TRENDZ]

Yeah, unfortunately, it is one of the few things I didn't replace when the truck was down to the framerails. Had the head off, the pump out, the timing cover/KDP, new front and rear crank seals, rebuilt p/s vac pump....
I'm wondering If I can snake it out of there without removing the pump again. No big deal if I cant, but I'd like to cheat if possible.

[PToombs]

I don't think you can do it with the head on. The head or pump has to come out, and the pump is easier for sure! The front tappet cover bolt is right behind the IP and is just shy of impossible to get onto. Then you have to start it back in the hole. The return fuel line is attached to some of them also.

[bmoeller]

I pulled the fuel injection pump off of mine, when I had to replace the tappet cover seal. Was hard and cracked.