Just wanted to drop a note of thanks for my lovely wife for helping me so very much with all the tough bits and for Chris Wong for coming out of his way to give me a hand. If it wasn't for both of them I'd still be stuck at work with my engine in pieces!
If anyone considers changing their valve covers let me just warn you ahead of time that deep (I mean deep!) 10mm and 8mm sockets are essential. A flex drive, U-joint and torque wrench are also deadly important.
We spent the majority of the 20 hour mod session shopping for new tools, bumming off friends and scratching our heads as to how to get things off! In the end the results were well worth it but now it's time for sleep! We started at 2:00 yesterday afternoon! ACK!
We only managed to snap one valve-cover bolt and isolator. Luckily it is on the top (front left) corner of the rear cover so I'm not too worried about it. The covers are fastened down tight now and there are no visible leaks.
I just can't say enough about Chris though - he saved my butt when I had one cover half-off and was stuck because of a bent engine-lift bracket. This guy is tops! 5 stars for you Chris!
Of course I couldn't forget Brad Noon who provided excellent service and top quality on the parts I had refurbished. Everything looks great and I had three full shifts of workers come over and compliment your work on the covers and TB. Everything is immaculate and there will definitely be a BN Motorsports logo displayed proudly under the bonnet that everyone will see at next year's auto show.
Also a big thanks to Mark Hienz who shaved down my heat shield when my legs gave out.
Here's a peek at the engine before and after.
Thought I'd poke in here since I kinda know what's going on with the coated parts. 
