07 Valley cover

[crownvic31]

2007 escalade 6.2.

I want to go ahead and replace the valley cover and intake gasket while I'm there. I under stand that my 07 escalade has the AFM/DOD installed but not turned on which is great. My question is can I get a smoothed out valley cover with out the solenoids or does it have to be the same as the one on my escalade(waffle) and the solenoids?

Reason is because the gasket for the valley cover is leaking.

 

[donjetman]

My 07 6.2L Denali valley cover came from the factory smooth. Yours should be too.

 

[crownvic31]

Mine is not the smooth. It has the waffle type. See pic below.
This was when i 1st bought the escalade. While searching for an issue, the intake manifold had to be removed.

 

[swathdiver]

That's a very early motor. Yes, you can replace the VLOM with a flat plate from the L9H or a 4.8 or whatever.

 

[donjetman]

Ok, a few early 2007 6.2s came the DOD/AFM hardware but it was deactivated in the ECM.
Smooth non- DOD/AFM VLOM on amazon etc for $65.

 

[crownvic31]

@swathdiver and @donjetman

So to better understand this, as of right now, my vlom has the solenoids for the DOD/AFM but its not needed because my escalade came with this feature deactivated?
So replacing with the smooth non DOD/AFM VLOM will remove them solenoids and I will not need to replace anything esle?

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver and @donjetman

So to better understand this, as of right now, my vlom has the solenoids for the DOD/AFM but its not needed because my escalade came with this feature deactivated?
So replacing with the smooth non DOD/AFM VLOM will remove them solenoids and I will not need to replace anything esle?

That's correct.

Out of curiosity, what's the build date of your Escalade? The AWD Esky's started production in January of 2006 and the RWD versions in August of that year. The cut off for the AFM equipped L92 motors was like April of 2005.

 

[donjetman]

I've never heard EXACTLY what DOD/AFM hardware is in the early 2007 6.2s. Are the DOD/AFM lifters in there too??? Anyway, DOD/AFM hardware has never been activated in your engine.
Some folks @iamdub plug the DOD/AFM oil passage towers in the block under the VLOM with rollers from an A37 wheel bearing. Plugs are also available at your favorite auto parts store or online retailer.
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2007-tahoe-5-3l-afm-dod-delete-thread.125165/#post-1549492

 

[crownvic31]

@swathdiver
I have the AWD built date 2/06(sticker on door).

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver
I have the AWD built date 2/06(sticker on door).

Cool, they started making them on January 1st of that year so you definitely have one of the earliest ones. Good to see the old girl still on the road.

The connector at the back will have nothing to plug into on the new cover, just tape it up.

 

[crownvic31]

So to my understanding and reading online I gathered this info and I quote
""1st design" engines built prior to April 1, 2006 had AFM components but were not connected. "2nd Design" didn't have AFM components at all"

 

[swathdiver]

So to my understanding and reading online I gathered this info and I quote
""1st design" engines built prior to April 1, 2006 had AFM components but were not connected. "2nd Design" didn't have AFM components at all"

That's correct.

 

[crownvic31]

Excellent.
She is old but holding up pretty good with 124k miles.

So to gather all my parts, i will need the vlom, intake gaskets and what esle should i be getting?

Oil pressure sensor was replaced so we can scratch that.

 

[crownvic31]

She is old but with time and love they last.

 

[swathdiver]

Excellent.
She is old but holding up pretty good with 124k miles.

So to gather all my parts, i will need the vlom, intake gaskets and what esle should i be getting?

Oil pressure sensor was replaced so we can scratch that.

Valve cover gaskets? Any broken exhaust manifold bolts? Beware of "mission creep"! LOL

 

[crownvic31]

Valve cover gaskets were replaced with new gm valve covers a few months ago. Broken manifold bolts were replaced when shorty headers were installed a few months ago.

So pretty much just remove intake manifold, clean up everything nicely, replace vlom and install intake and call it done?

Now that I am looking at the pic of my engine, I am seeing a very rusted line that goes from cylinder head to another at the front. What is that? I should replace that aswell.

 

[crownvic31]

Should I also go ahead and plug the holes in the valley or its not necessary?

 

[iamdub]

So pretty much just remove intake manifold, clean up everything nicely, replace vlom and install intake and call it done?

This'll do.

Now that I am looking at the pic of my engine, I am seeing a very rusted line that goes from cylinder head to another at the front. What is that? I should replace that aswell.

I think you're referring to the coolant crossover tube. Since you're working in the area and if it's really rusty, you might wanna change it. I don't have the part number and there are a couple different versions. Just Google "coolant crossover tube AC Delco" and you should find plenty of replacement options. Fel-Pro ES73027 is the gasket kit for it. It will also contain gaskets for the rear block-offs.

 

[iamdub]

Should I also go ahead and plug the holes in the valley or its not necessary?

Not necessary. Just cheap insurance should the O-ring seals in that valley cover leak. They often do at well above 100K miles. You'll be good to go for a while with the new parts. But, if you wanna spend the extra time and a few bucks, plug 'em. Some companies have specially-machined aluminum plugs for around $40. An A-37 bearing is around $20 locally and $10 on eBay. There are plug "kits" on eBay consisting of eight of the rollers from an A-37 bearing priced around $20-$25. If you have the means, you can buy a bearing and cut it to remove the rollers and you'll have 20 "plugs".

 

[crownvic31]

So I am looking at the GM GENUINE 12598832 VLOM. have read bad reviews on the oem unit having very poor casting quality which reminds me of the valve covers when I bought them OEM as well. What are you guys using as per the VLOM goes?