Amongst many other parts I ordered for the latest project was a set of Cam-Cover seals for my '03 4.2 S/C engine. Rock Auto has a fabulous deal: BOTH left and right side seal sets for $58.79 (VS50672). It's from some outfit called "Victor Reinz". The set includes not only the cam-cover seals, but the spark plug and bolt seals as well. I was quite impressed. The formed seals fit perfectly, were very pliable and stayed in place while the cover was being placed back on the engine.

One caveat though: At first glance it would appear our covers need 10 bolt seals each - and that is what the kit comes with. However, in reality we need 14 seals per cover, so the kit is 4 short per side. I left the old seals in 4 easily accessed bolts along the top of the cover, and will notify Rock Auto of the discrepancy.

Do not let this one detail deter you from buying this set while it's available. It is an incredible value, and although the old rubber was rock hard in my 13 year / 190K mile old cover and plug seals, the bolt seals seemed to be fine. They were still quite pliable and came off the bolts easily; without any cracking or splitting. If I was ordering all the seals separately and new bolt seals were not available, I'd be content leaving the old ones in. If you're even considering replacing your cam cover seals someday - Buy This Set Now.

Ummm, .... maybe I should add that I'm not affiliated with the product and do not profit from its sales. It's just half the price of just about every other source I'd seen.

 

Update to the Victor Reinz kit.

I contacted Rock Auto to have them update VR with the actual needs of our engines (28 grommets vs. 20). The "rocks" at Rock Auto couldn't get it into their heads that I wasn't asking them for the missing grommets; all I wanted them to do was update VR so that everyone's future customers would be happy. After a couple of email rounds with RA I gave up and contacted VR directly - emailing their main office in Europe and their US affiliate at Mahle.

What a pleasant surprise, I got an instant response thanking me for the information. All future kits will include the appropriate number of grommets. And they're sending me ten extra grommets for my install.

Nice. Character and Integrity. They still exist.

I'm even more pleased with the VR kit now. Highly recommended!

 

I have had no problems with Rockauto, but recently there have been post by other members with complaints relating to service/communication.

 

Hey RJ,
This was funny though, the customer service reps must be so used to listening to disgruntled customers, that they just couldn't get a handle on the fact that I was trying to "help" them.
It's OK though. The Victor Reinz rep at Mahle, Thomas Walsh said the VR was receptive to the information and would be rectifying the situation immediately. Anyone who has bought a kit can contact them for the missing grommets. All kits on the shelves are having the extra grommets added.