Lincoln/Mercury Repair: 93 Mercury Sable, mercury sable, honest jon

Question
I have a 93 Mercury Sable.  The engine has been knocking for awhile.  I was driving it today and it just quit.  When I did get it started again, it sounds like there is something loose in the engine.  How do I take the valve cover off (the source of the noise) and will I still be able to drive the car with that piece missing?

Answer
Jon,

Knocking or pinging? If it's knocking, remove the valubles from the vehicle and push it off a cliff! Just to be honest Jon, this is not a job for an untrained technician. Working with the heads and internal workings of an engine need to be addressed by a fully trained gearhead. And no, it will not run long, if at all, with missing pieces.