Log in

View Full Version : valve cover gaskets


Reek09
05-08-2010, 07:28 AM
Can anybody give me any input on changing valve cover gaskets? What kinda gasket do you reccomend? Has anybody done it in their driveway?
Dennis Reinhart
05-08-2010, 07:34 AM
Can anybody give me any input on changing valve cover gaskets? What kinda gasket do you reccomend? Has anybody done it in their driveway?


The best way is to pull the wiper cowling, change all the tube seals as well and use Ford parts only.
fastblackmerc
05-08-2010, 07:37 AM
The 4.6l modular motor doesn't have "valve" covers. It has cam cover and coil covers. Cam cover gaskets are not too bad to change especially the drivers side. Passenger side may require jacking the right side of the engine up a bit. There are some posts that tell you how to do it.
Blackened300a
05-08-2010, 07:48 AM
Can anybody give me any input on changing valve cover gaskets? What kinda gasket do you reccomend? Has anybody done it in their driveway?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50526&highlight=cam+cover

Have fun!
ImpalaSlayer
05-08-2010, 10:30 AM
unless you have a leak from your VALVE cover, you should be able to use the original one.
massacre
05-08-2010, 10:40 AM
unless you have a leak from your VALVE cover, you should be able to use the original one.


No way. Those gaskets swell up with heat/oil and are not reuseable.

When I did mine I bought a set, came with the spark plug hole gaskets, in addition to the regular gaskets, and also came with new grommets for the PCV/ breathers too. I forget where I got that, I can check my receipts and see if I can find it.
ImpalaSlayer
05-08-2010, 10:42 AM
No way. Those gaskets swell up with heat/oil and are not reuseable.

When I did mine I bought a set, came with the spark plug hole gaskets, in addition to the regular gaskets, and also came with new grommets for the PCV/ breathers too. I forget where I got that, I can check my receipts and see if I can find it.

i reused mine with ZERO problems
massacre
05-08-2010, 11:02 AM
Well then you got lucky.
cougar9150
05-08-2010, 01:15 PM
I used the Felpro gasket set, that comes with all the seals for each cover. Got it at Rock auto for a really good price and worked perfect. Leovampire has a really good thread that details the in's and out's of it. Can't post the link from my phone.

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using Tapatalk
fastblackmerc
05-08-2010, 01:41 PM
i reused mine with ZERO problems

Same here...

Guess we're both lucky!
Blackened300a
05-08-2010, 04:12 PM
Same here...

Guess we're both lucky!

That makes 3 of us.
GetMeMyStogie
05-09-2010, 09:01 PM
The 4.6l modular motor doesn't have "valve" covers. It has cam cover and coil covers.

It also has a timing cover, but you knew what the OP was referring to when he said 'valve cover', didn't you? Btw, don't the 'cam' covers also cover the 'valves'? So, both names are unambiguous. If you want to go by what Ford calls them, good for you, but don't give the OP grief when you know exactly what he's referring to. Geez :shake:
massacre
05-09-2010, 10:01 PM
It also has a timing cover, but you knew what the OP was referring to when he said 'valve cover', didn't you? Btw, don't the 'cam' covers also cover the 'valves'? So, both names are unambiguous. If you want to go by what Ford calls them, good for you, but don't give the OP grief when you know exactly what he's referring to. Geez :shake:

^^^ Well the "valve covers" in a OHV do cover the valves, but don't cover the cams.

It's a technicality....lol... I say valve cover too, but obviously mean cam cover. Just like I say "motor" when it's technically "engine".

To the lucky three -
And the OP-

I'm that guy. A lead gasket(my stock '93 plenum/elbow gasket, EGR gasket in some cases) I will reuse, fine. But with the valve cover gasket material, why take the chance? A paper gasket, sure. I've made my own paper gaskets when necessary, but those spindly valve cover gaskets with RTV/Rightstuff @ the timing cover?
I'd rather just replace.
Just peace of mind for me.
If you have low mileage then apparently it's fine to re-use your old gaskets.
Would be cool if the lucky three posted the mileage on their motors.
Maybe I should have more faith in the stock gaskets than I actually have.
Would be valuable info for us all and could definitely save us all some money.
Why buy the whole set when you don't have to?