What "while im in there" things should I be doing durring a valve cover gasket change.

[LucasD]

Here soon I am going to be doing some work on my liberty. I am doing valve cover gaskets and since I have to drain the coolant to do the gaskets I am doing a few while im in there things.
New thermostat, coolant cap, water pump, coolant temp sensor, belt tensoner. Are there any other "while im in there" Preventative Maintenance things I should do while I have easier access to these things? Cam and crank sensor? Oil pressor sensor? While i have the valve covers off im going to check the valve lash and do a compression test as well. I have newer spark plugs so I dont need to do those and coil packs are kind of expensive so ill replace them as needed when they fail. My step dad suggested I flush the heater core with a hose to clean it out. Is this recomended and is there a specific way to go about this thats best?

 

[mercdudecbr600]

Why coolant to get at valve covers?

 

[LucasD]

Why coolant to get at valve covers?

You have to remove the coolant tank to access the passenger side.

 

[JeepJeepster]

I replaced the heater hoses/pipes when I replaced my valve cover gaskets. Made it a bit easier having them removed and they were over 10 years old anyway... That was almost 10 years ago now.

 

[lfhoward]

While you have the valve covers off, check the amount of play between the rocker arms and the lifters (lash adjusters). If the lifters are collapsed because they are worn out and full of sludge, there will be obvious up and down movement between the lifter and the rocker arms. Occasionally this can lead to a rocker arm coming loose, losing compression, or worse. If everything is nice and tight, that is what you want. If you can rotate the engine as you check each rocker arm, that would be best. You’re looking for play when the lifter is not compressed. If your engine had a ticking or typewriter noise, this could be the source.

 

[duderz7]

You have to remove the coolant tank to access the passenger side.

Should be able to just unbolt it from the firewall and move it aside. If that's not enough room keeping the hose higher than the engine once removed from tank should keep the fluid in there. If you're due for a coolant flush might as well, but if not... Don't waste time and money.
Second on the check the lifters and rocker arms