97 merc engine head leaking water

[damule]

0g484829
97 115 elpto

changed plugs in my buddies 115 he thought one was fouled out. when we put the water boot on to run it there is water squirting out of what looks to be the gasket on the cover that goes over the spark plugs.it is coming out of the circle in cover for the top plug.So im guessing the water could have got to one of the plugs causing the rough running.
1st question what is the proper name for that cover, in parts list it is just cover.
#2 looking at the diagram it is just that a cover. can be done relatively easy?looks like take out the bolts ,clean old gasket off put on new gasket and bolt cover back on. or is there a hidden grimlen?

[damule]

could the gasket be bad ,or is this a sign of a bad cylender ? compression test from bottom to top is 120 ,120,120,119..but thats still well within good
Any help?

[JOE54]

water jacket cover , may also need gasket for poppet cover,put a thermos stat in it also

[damule]

yea was gunna get stat,water jacket cover and poppet assy. hoped to get it in a kit but all im finding are each part sold individually .unless one of you guys have searched a parts site that i dont.
so other than the stat and gasket for both the cover and t stat. does anything need replaced on the poppet assy or just order all of it ?
Thanks

[damule]

parts due in a couple days, was hoping someone could put up the tourque and tightening sequince of the head cover.im assuming no sealant is needed for the gasket
Thanks ahead of time

[EuropeanAM]

18 lbs/ft, start in the middle and work out in a "box" pattern.

Normally no sealant, if you want to use sealant, Perfect Seal would be a good choice.