Valve cover question

[rsmithdrift]

Alright I plan on replacing my valve cover gasket, and when I was loosening the bolts the third one I got to was broken off in the head. The head of the bolt went flying into who knows where (it's just gone) and the threaded part of the bolt is still in the head.

My question is...... would it be a problem if I just ignored this little "problem" and replaced the valve cover gasket w/o that bolt??

Would it leak oil if I did that? It's only one bolt on the side drivers side of the cover (across from no 2 spark plug).

Also, I've never done a valve cover gasket before, any thing that I might not be expecting as far as other problems, like the origional gasket sticking to the head, or their being peices missing from new set or anything like that??

[corn322]

I think it should be alright. I've stripped out 2 valve cover bolts, and one was already stripeed when I got it. hasn't given me any problems.

[hazw8st]

I think it should be alright. I've stripped out 2 valve cover bolts, and one was already stripeed when I got it. hasn't given me any problems.

You'll be alright!

[rsmithdrift]

from someone who has done this before......

Do I need a scraper to get the old gasket off the head?? I've heard that they stick to aluminum pretty badly.

[dickie]

mine came right off when i pulled it. the silicone sealant that goes around the "half moon" plugs in the gasket might be a bit stubborn. i used an old credit card to get most of that off.