I have a large amount of my engine off and wanted to try and polish the cam covers. If i remove them will oil pour out or am i safe?

 

I believe that oil will come out. Might not be that much if you haven't been driving it around a lot before then though, since it will most all go down to the oil pan.

 

^ what he said. you'll get a small dribble of oil from the bottom of the cover when you break the RTV seal. put a rag underneath each cover and you'll be good to go. make sure you don't get oil on your belts.

btw, before you put the covers back on make sure you do a good job cleaning off the old RTV. a wire brush and a razor blade should do the trick. also, don't forget the plastic seal ring on the inside of the cover.

 

whats rtv?

 

Room-Temperature Vulcanization

Basically a rubber seal formed from a liquid in a tube, similar to silicone in a tube. Often used for engine gaskets.

 

Its nicknamed "liquid gasket"

It seals things as is very similar to silicon