Inserting new spark plug tube seals into the valve cover ... anything better than beat them in?

Especially onsidering the original seals were maybe ok:

There's got to be a simple, low budget way to press those seals in, with what you have on hand. Don't overthink it?

 

You can actually make the driver out of wood on a wood turning lathe. That's how manufacturers like Ford did it for the Model T.

Also, POM Delrin can easily be turned on a woodworking lathe.

Simply put, all I would need to know is how deep the seals are inserted. Most often, they are flush, but I would have to be sure. Just have to look at them before removal to know. The only other thing I would need is one of the seals. That's all.

 

Looking through post #14 attachment, the Repair Manual instruction is to use an old gasket with the seal portion cut off, to help install the new gasket




Last illustration, enlarged:

 

Thanks, I log stuff like this.

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Following has spark plug tube seals with slightly smaller diameter, easier install:
Beck Arnley 036-1887 Valve Cover Gasket Set
From:
Inserting new spark plug tube seals into the valve cover ... anything better than beat them in? | Page 2 | PriusChat
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So yeah, I know this is an old post but I am having the exact same difficulty with replacing my spark plug tube seals.

Firstly, they original seals were brittle stretchy soft. It took a couple hours of scraping with a pick to get off. Completely adhered to the metal. I suspect based on the car fax report it sat in a storage unit in Indiana for 1-2 years and never was started causing the gaskets to dry out. Otherwise they were a bad factory batch or got way over heated. IDK. But they were a great pain to remove.

Now I went through a couple of the new ones but they just wouldn't go in and just damaged them. I thoroughly read the install instructions posted about cutting the inner circle on the old one and since no old one existed I now had a half set could cut. Thankfully the local parts department had what I needed. The OEM from the parts department were a few hairs smaller than the fel-pro kit but still having difficulty. It gets in just a bit but then no movement. Have another OEM set in the mail and just after reading through this thread just ordered the Beck Arnley set.

Watched a few videos and all though there's probably time cutout you don't really know how long they are tapping for, but it seems it does go in smoothly more than forcibly.

Going to try and make a press out of a bolt, washer and socket. Hopefully that works, but doubts are deep.

 

Have you watched this video on how I installed it?

if its dry, use some silicone paste to lube the rubber so it'll go into the hole easily.

 

I have, thoroughly a few times. As well as a couple others just doing the valve cover. Everybody's just pops out, pops in. Granted there is some time cut but it fits without force, just plain tapping. The outer part should just be a tad recessed in and the upity part just level. It goes in a bit but not like it should. The gasket has no play in the hole when you place it in flat. I would think there should be a bit , just enough to get past the lip. Otherwise its like pounding a square peg into a round hole. I used some Vaseline jelly, a dab of oil, thought about the liquid wrench but unsure reactivity with gasket. The silicone spray is worth a try, that stuff is slick.

I like the idea of making a press so that to keep as a tool for future use.

 

You have to force it in by hammering the over sized socket or else it won’t go in by pushing it with your hand. I used a 30mm socket and a hammer to hammer it into the hole. A press would be an over kill and doing the socket and a hammer is the basic tool we use when putting in the spark plug tube seals. Hope that helps. I’m curious of your press that you’re thinking of making though.