I removed the 4 bolts on the passenger side and it is not coming out without removing more stuff. What is the fastest way? My manual says to raise the car and remove the transmission tube and then alternator, alt bracket and i think the egr and air tube. I just want to check for a bad ticking from that area.

 

Remove the alternator and the valve cover will come off. No need for all that in the manual, although I no longer have any emissions equipment i don't recall it being in the way.

 

Look at the EGR components photo on Shoebox's website. The tranny tube and the EGR tube should not be a problem.

http://shbox.com/1/egr1.jpg

If you still have the AIR piping, it may be in the way, though:

http://shbox.com/1/diverters.jpg

 

U can take all of the bolts out of the alt and just loosen up the bottom one.

Pull the alt over as far as it will go then snug the bottom bolt to hold it in place. Valve cover will come off easy after that.

 

I still have all of my A.I.R. components and I had to remove the check valve on the passenger side to get the valve cover off and had to loosen the tube that screws into the manifold on the drivers side and rotate it out of the way.

I too was in search of a tick from the rear of the passenger bank - probably exhaust but figured I'd remove improper valve lash from the list of possible causes.

 

Also look along the valley between the valve cover and the intake. Wiring harnesses and hose clamps can get in the way and cause the valve cover to hang.