Hey Joel! Man, I've done this job four times in three weeks. I've got it down to a SCIENCE! Yes, the beating is cleaning up the old sealant. For sure. And I meant to say, I have two tubes on order. And it didn't make it here before the weekend. And, we've got to have the car operational monday...so I might be doing the job again next weekend...

A few tips for anyone -- and please follow at your own risk

1) I don't pull the cooling fan until after I remove the switchover valve and engine lift hook (two items bolted to the front upper cover). But, I remove the coolant crossover pipe too. Then, I remove the cooling fan. It's really easy to lock the cooling fan pulley (using a 1/4"? bent rod) with all these items out of the way.

I can pretty much have the front cover in my hand in 60 minutes.

2) The timing chain rail (with the guide pin) - it's easy to remove after the front cover is in your hand. I just use a 3/8" drive deep well socket (depending on how long your bolt is), a bolt that will thread inside the pin and a washer. Bolt/washer go through the ratchet end of the socket, the socket goes over the pin. Thread the bolt into the pin and tighten with a ratchet. The pin will slide out --- it's really quite long, and you may have the pull on the socket (with bolt going through) as you tighten the bolt.

If anyone is considering this job, it's really quite simple. You never need to pull the serpentine belt - thankfully. Just the valve cover. Simple stuff.

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I'd appreciate any more opinions on the sealant. Thanks again, Joel.