I just bought some polish to clean my valve cover, and I've been hunching over my engine just working away, but breaking my back at the same time. I know it would be easier to do it with the vc off, but if I take it off, would I have to replace the gaskets or any other parts when I am to put it back on? Or can I just take it off and then put it back on? Basically, what do I have to do to put it back on. Thanks guys.

remove it

The VC gasket is a rubber strip and 4 spark plug gaskets, all reusable. Put the gaskets and nuts/washers in a safe place. Then finish you VC and re-install everything. It may add some time to the process but it's the best way to do it.

also make sure to clean the old silicone material around the head where it dips into a half circle, reapply a small amount of silicone on the edges where it dips into the half circle and also where the distrubutor is.

tighten the valve cover in a cross pattern, if you have an FSM then the torque specs and tightening sequence is there.

Check out the JWT S3 cam install (on left hand side of page) at http://www.geocities.com/n_dahi/ It shows the torq specs, pattern to bolt and unbolt the valve cover and where to apply silicone.

Mike