As the title suggests, I'm wondering if the spark plug gaskets (located under the valve cover) need to be flush with the plastic from the valve cover itself. The old gaskets were flush with the edge of the "cups" but I cannot, for the life of me, get these gaskets to press all the way down. I do not have a 36mm socket as another website suggested to use.

This is what I bought.
Thoughts?

 

I’ll get pics next weekend.

 

Those o-rings should be grooved so that they are held in place by valve cover. Have you lubed them up so they will slip over the inner ring? Half fits below and half fits above.

 

I see the grooves now upon closer inspection. I should have looked more carefully when I started. I did not put any oil on them so that might be why I'm struggling. I will be back my car on Saturday and will try to pull the grommets out by hand. If they come out, clearly they were not set. If they don't come out by hand, I will try to pry them a bit without destroying them. If I cannot get them out by hand or a light tool, I will have to destroy them to in order to remove. Is it better to remove/destroy and ensure they are properly in place or assume they are set because I cannot remove them?

If I cannot get them out, I also might try to use a locking c clamp (picture attached) to fully press them in. Or find something else I can hammer on.

 

Should not need a tool or clamp as they might place enough pressure to break the plastic. Rubber with a little oil should be flexible enough to push in by hand. I

 

Ok, I will try with a bit of oil and report back.