Originally posted by 96mercury:
I did my timing belt and water pump without removing the valve cover. The haynes manuel mentioned this as well, so why the valve cover.



You're right, it's possible, I've done it both ways (1st time with a help of an oldschool mechaninc friend, he didn't bother with the cover).2nd time I did it myself with the camshaft locking tool and since then I prefer it that way.
It just gives you much bigger safety margin against your own clumsiness - I agree with enough experience you might not need it.

Tiv