I'm putting on Felpro for both the VC and the oil pan. Looks like the old VC gasket was possibly cork, but with like a half a tube of black RTV. Such a pain to get off.

 

Argh!!

 

Also, I was able to remove all the bolts with my fingers. Don't think that's normal. It's no wander the whole top of my engine is wet with oil.

 

Excellent clue!!

 

Ugh. Man. I've got the valve cover back on and tightened down properly (as far as I can tell). New CCV elbows, new tubes. Cleaned air filter box. New plugs and wires (old plugs were fouled and nasty).

It sucks to know that I could fill it with oil right now and be on my way, but I ran an engine flush, and I know there's bound to be some left over lurking in the 245,000 miles worth of sludge in my oil pan, so I just have to suck it up and pull the darn thing.

I know with the Felpro VC gasket you don't need RTV (and I didn't use any), but what about the oil pan gasket?

 

Alright. So the thing runs, and as far as I can tell isn't leaking any fuel or oil anywhere. Whatever the issue with it was, got sorted out in all the crap I just did to it. My real guess is fouled plugs from all the oil leaking out under the valve cover.

Now I've got other issues though. The brakes really suck right now, but I'm thinking that's just because of rust build up from sitting for 2 weeks in wet weather.

But my main problem is that my fuel light is on, and the gauge shows empty. I just put 30 bucks in it, plus about 4 gallons I had on hand, and the light is still on. Is there any way it's something electrical? I feel like I probably messed up the float when I put the pump in. It works fine, just doesn't register the level.

Any ideas? If I have to pull that pump again I swear I'm just taking it to a shop and having someone with the right tools/equipment mess with it.

 

I had a similar issue. While trying to heavily accelerate my jeep would stutter and backfire. Pressure seemed fine when I checked it at the rail. Finally one day my jeep would run even worse and stutter/buckle the whole time it was on. Checked to see if my fuel pump made a priming sound and it did but it wasn't holding any pressure. Replaced my pump and all the issues went away.

 

Yeah, I've got the new pump in, but now the fuel light is on and showing empty, but its got like half a tank. I'm gonna run it down some gravel tomorrow to maybe shake the float loose if that's the issue. Beyond that I'm just gonna start counting mileage.

 

Before putting the new pump in did you inspect to see if the metal connectors connected to the float were contacting the gauge on the pump assembly??

 

Oil leaking from valve covers does not foul the electrodes of the spark plugs. Think about it.

 

i have a 97 laredo and it has been chugging when we drive it, and when you get to 5- the whole vehicle shakes but drives smooth nce at about 60. when the jeep idle or is turned off the smell of gas is super rich. already had catalytic converter checked and its not the issue, anyone have any suggestions? someone told me it may be the fuel regulator but when i googled it i cannot find the proper location of it

 

Regulator should be right up front on the fuel rail. That's where its at on my 92. My old one was leaking. I got lucky that I saw the wetness though because I never smelled gas at all.

Could be running rich for a number of reasons. Maybe O2 sensor. Also check all around for leaks.
As for shaking, start with tire pressure. 55 is the sweet spot for mine when the right side is low (slow leaks). From there balance and maybe rotation, and check out front end components for looseness.