Engine 97gt Cracked Valve Cover?

I'd say it is much more likely you just need to replace the valve cover gasket/seal. Unless someone cranked down the valve cover bolts too tight when the heads were replaced, I don't see the valve cover being cracked.. and that issue would have shown up immediately. So keep the cover handy and replace it if you want while everything is apart, but make sure you replace that gasket. The job can be a royal PITA since there is so little room between the shock tower and cover, but as I recall the passenger side has more room to work.

It's not too bad changing the valve covers on the SN95. It's a mildly tight fit but not too bad. Just take your time and go slow.

oil cooler gasket....goes out all the time!