'89 Valve Cover Gasket Change Question?

[Slo5Oh89]

I have a '89 with leaking valve covers and am close to changing them. Is there something else I should check with the intake off? What Valve Cover Gaskets are best with the Stock valve covers? Are the spacers for the upper intake worth the money? Any help would be great. This message board is awesome I always get great feed back. Thanks again in advance.

 

[Strype]

Why are you taking the upper intake off to change the valve covers? Just remove the TB, spacer, air inlet.

 

[Slo5Oh89]

You can get the driver side valve cover off with out removing the upper intake?!?! If so Awesome!

 

[90lxcoupe]

You can get the driver side valve cover off with out removing the upper intake?!?! If so Awesome!

Its been a while since ive done a set of gaskets on a stock motor, but i dont think its possible without taking the intake off, and either way, its like 6 bolts for the intake, much easier just to take it off, will save time in the long run. and it will save you a TB/EGR gasket.

Get the ford rubber gaskets that are have a bonded metal ring in them. Ive had two sets on my car, both sets have been torqued over 15 times and never leak. DONT USE CORK, they suck.

Not really much to look for when doing it, just make sure that you tape the lower intake so nothing gets dropped in there, and if the upper to lower gasket comes off in one piece chances are you can re-use it if you are in a pinch, but i'd reccomend going to a parts store and seeing if they have one when you get the VC gasket

 

[Strype]

Oh I remember the stock set up- The valve cover hits the intake.

 

[Slo5Oh89]

Does anyone use the Intake spacers? They help much or just a hyped up add on?

 

[Strype]

Does anyone use the Intake spacers? They help much or just a hyped up add on?

They help with clearance which is why I use them. I don't remember a noticable gain or anything.

 

[mineralgsvt]

Get the ford rubber gaskets that are have a bonded metal ring in them.

+1 - What he said.

 

[68stang351]

Get the ford rubber gaskets that are have a bonded metal ring in them. Ive had two sets on my car, both sets have been torqued over 15 times and never leak. DONT USE CORK, they suck.

Fel Pro makes some like that too, the Perma-Dry. That's what I use on all my stuff.
Awesome.

 

[90lxcoupe]

Fel Pro makes some like that too, the Perma-Dry. That's what I use on all my stuff.
Awesome.

I tried those on myne, and they were junk, the gasket was too thick and on my car when i tightened them, they loosened up and started leaking

 

[68stang351]

I tried those on myne, and they were junk, the gasket was too thick and on my car when i tightened them, they loosened up and started leaking

That's strange. They've worked great for on both my pushrod motors. The 351 has had them for about 6 years and the 302 has had them for about 4. Never had a problem. And my 302's valve covers came off ALOT!

 

[90lxcoupe]

That's strange. They've worked great for on both my pushrod motors. The 351 has had them for about 6 years and the 302 has had them for about 4. Never had a problem. And my 302's valve covers came off ALOT!

Mabye were talking about two different gaskets then.

 

[68stang351]

Mabye were talking about two different gaskets then.

The blue rubber ones with the metal strip in the middle, and it also has metal rings around the bolt holes to prevent squishing.

Just noticed I wrote "Perma dry", I think they are actually "Perma dry Plus".