I was just looking at the motor in my truck. Installing a cam in October, and I want to know if you can take off the valve covers without removing the coils packs. To me it looks like I can fit a 8mm wrench along the side to get to the four center bolts. If I remove the wire on the top of the coil and push it back in the manifold and pull the spark plug wires at the spark plugs and remove the four center bolts it should come out in one piece? I want to make the cam install as easy as possible.

 

The coil packs are so easy to remove I wouldn't even worry about it. I only install a couple of the coil pack bolts back in place anyway so taking them off is like a 2min adventure at worst.

 

A deep 10mm socket would help with getting the coil packs and brackets off, but it's not necessary. I use a standard 10mm socket inserted loosely on the ratchet/extention.

I've had my valvecovers off like 6 times now. It's a 10 minute job... not nearly as bad as it looks. It'd probably take longer to mess with the valvecover bolts under the coil brackets.

 

not worth the hassle to try and remove it all in one shot.
hell if you have an air compressor it's even quicker. 2-3 min tops....

 

THe one bolt on the back passenger side is a small pain, but just leave it out so you don't have to worry with it later. I would also take it out first so there will be no pressure on it and u can spin it with your fingers.