Valve Cover Cleaning (Inside)

[fixkick]

Hi, I am trying to clean the valve cover on my '95 sidekick. On the inside is a plate that covers the ports to the top of the valve cover (PCV & EGR I think). Anyway, that little cover inside the valve cover is fastened with 8 rivets. They don't look like any kind of rivets I have ever seen. I drilled them out.
I am thinking of threading the holes and putting it back together with screws and lock tight.
Have you messed with these before?
never.
Just looking for advice from anyone who might know about the weird design of this valve cover.
Frank.

that is not weird, its a baffle, for the PVC valve sucking hose. (vacuum)
you dont want it to suck in pure oil ever,
it breaks up the oil mist too.
as long as you can suck air on the PCV fitting there, it's good.
that varnish is all harmless. all engines have it.
all it needs is to breath..

if really worried, on the 8valve (is it?) take it to any machine shop and get it hot tanked.
it will come out naked as a jay bird.,
but sure you can drill out rivets and use screws, but use the super hot super hard loctite.

cheers IMO.