I have replaced the rocker box cover gasket but I am stuck.
The manual says to use sealant around where the half moon packing rubber goes, that's straight forward.

But it also says:
apply sealant to the rocker cover gasket contact area of the rear camshaft bearing cap and 15 mm either side of it on the cylinder head.

I have no idea where the rear camshaft bearing cap is?

That is at each end of the rocker cover when it curves up and over the caps.

Pretty much all you need to do is use a non silicone based sealant on the corners where the curve starts.

On the 4cyl the cam protrudes out of the back of the head for a pulley to drive the water pump, is there an arch there (cant remember as I haven't worked on a 4cyl in years) if so place the sealant in there.

Never applied sealant when changing the rocker cover gasket.
Not really needed provided you cleaned the surface properly and and torque the bolts which hold it in place accordingly.

Can if you wish, no harm doing so. But not required.

Thanks guys now I can put it back.
Yes Astron Boy, I never usually use a sealant because they cause more leaks than they fix. However I have read many times in this forum where people say the Magna has a propensity to leak around those areas. The manual says to use the sealant only on those areas and I have found many times that the people that design and build something usually know the best way to do things. So in this case I will use the sealant on those areas and so I don't have to do it again because I didn't follow the makers instructions. If I do have to do it again well, tough I suppose.

Oh yes, this and a small rust hole to fill are the last things that need doing from the unregistered vehicle inspection report last November.
It is going for inspection again tomorrow afternoon so Monday I should be able to pick it up passed, 2 and a half years after starting to do the clutch.

When you enjoy doing something, you may as well take your time and spread the joy!

(*Runs away and hides. *)

Never applied sealant when changing the rocker cover gasket.
Not really needed provided you cleaned the surface properly and and torque the bolts which hold it in place accordingly.

Can if you wish, no harm doing so. But not required.

Wow you have been extremely lucky as they come from the factory with sealant!!
Guess it depends on what car you are referring too as well as any with a 90 degree corner that the rubber gasket fits into on the head sealing surface will 99% of the time will leak if no sealant applied.
If you have only replaced gaskets on completely flat rocker covers....then no sealant required then unless the alloy surface of the head has some deep scratches in it where someone has been over zealous removing any gunk buildup and old sealer. Vee

That is at each end of the rocker cover when it curves up and over the caps.

Pretty much all you need to do is use a non silicone based sealant on the corners where the curve starts.

I just realised you said non silicone and of course the one I purchased is 100% silicone rubber.
The gasket is rubber so I thought that would be best.

What is the difference?

Wow you have been extremely lucky as they come from the factory with sealant!!
Guess it depends on what car you are referring too as well as any with a 90 degree corner that the rubber gasket fits into on the head sealing surface will 99% of the time will leak if no sealant applied.
If you have only replaced gaskets on completely flat rocker covers....then no sealant required then unless the alloy surface of the head has some deep scratches in it where someone has been over zealous removing any gunk buildup and old sealer. Vee
Typically only engines I apply sealant with are the horizontals or boxers.
The upright 4s and 6s I do, I simply clean and torque.
Haven't had an issue to date.
Having said that, I seldom keep 1 car long enough, but given the ownership period, never had an issue.

The Magna being the exception, but I worked on that motor at every chance, and then swapped it.

When you enjoy doing something, you may as well take your time and spread the joy!

(*Runs away and hides. *)
scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch squealed the pen as it crossed the offending nick from the christmas card list.

scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch squealed the pen as it crossed the offending nick from the christmas card list.
max is a good guy to keep on the list . max add a lol next time lol

scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch squealed the pen as it crossed the offending nick from the christmas card list.

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn! (Strikes his best Rhett Butler pose)


. . . but I do believe we have drifted off into spam land . . .

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn! (Strikes his best Rhett Butler pose)


. . . but I do believe we have drifted off into spam land . . .

Spamland? I see it more like the jovial comraderie after a job well done. Max knows I know that without his and the forums help I would never have got the clutch done let alone the other things needed to get it ready for rego so thanks everyone.
Besides, I don't really have a christmas list lol. I am a pagan :)

So am I still on your pagan celebration list? Pleez?

So am I still on your pagan celebration list? Pleez?
Well I will think about it if you can answer this problem.
I took the car to have it's inspection thinking that everything was done. The new guy I saw found a few things wrong.
The oil seal I had put into the offside transmission case where the drive shaft goes in was the wrong one and it had started to leak.
I remember seeing a little streak of oil under the car as I walked away but was surprised when he said it was the wrong oil seal.
Anyway the brackets holding the hand break cables had broken too. With a few other things he quoted me $400 to fix it all up including the inspection.
I paid him and picked the car up the next day with the blue slip passed.
Thursday was a holiday so I had a car that had passed and money paid that day into the bank but I couldn't register it because of the holiday.
Friday I finally got the ctp slip but there were more problems and I didn't get to the motor registry until about 2 pm.
Another problem, they wanted the plates. I went to get them and couldn't get the screws undone, rusted into place. I have a lung infection too so not feeling strong or very clever. Went home and went to bed.
Sat morning I went dragged myself out of bed literally and got to Motor registry 15 mins after it opened. I had got a neighbor to cut the plates off around the screws so I put them down on the counter and ten mins later I had my rego paid and in my hand.
I left and using garden fencing wire hung the rear number plate from the wagon rear wiper and drove off.
I saw a highway patrol car on the other side of the road.
I saw a highway patrol car in my mirror with red and blue lights flashing.
I gave the officer the receipt and told him I had just left the registry and was going home to install the plates properly.
You could hear the disappointment in his voice as he told his offsider she has just left the registry.
She smiled and I said good morning and off they went and I drove home and went to bed feeling rather smug.

Problem is I can't get those dam screws out. A friend drilled the heads off but still can't get much purchase with vice grips and they won't turn even after drowning them in the old wd40.
Any ideas please?

Drill straight through them, then mount the plates using smaller bolts and nuts. Or self tapping screws.

One of the joys of having a geriatric car, I'm afraid.

Drill straight through them, then mount the plates using smaller bolts and nuts. Or self tapping screws.

One of the joys of having a geriatric car, I'm afraid.

If it were that easy I would but on the tailgate the door is hollow and they don't go all the way through. Or is there a trim panel on the inside of the tailgate can't remember off hand.
Yeah geriatric car for a (almost) geriatric woman.