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'89 Valve Cover Gasket Change Question?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slo5Oh89
  • Start date Start date Nov 12, 2009

Slo5Oh89

Member
Oct 8, 2009
226
3
19
Washington, IL
Nov 12, 2009
#1
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #1
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

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
Nov 12, 2009
#2
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #2
Why are you taking the upper intake off to change the valve covers? Just remove the TB, spacer, air inlet.
 

Slo5Oh89

Member
Oct 8, 2009
226
3
19
Washington, IL
Nov 12, 2009
#3
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #3
You can get the driver side valve cover off with out removing the upper intake?!?! If so Awesome!
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Nov 12, 2009
#4
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #4
Slo5Oh89 said:
You can get the driver side valve cover off with out removing the upper intake?!?! If so Awesome!
Click to expand...

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

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
Nov 12, 2009
#5
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #5
Oh I remember the stock set up- The valve cover hits the intake.
 

Slo5Oh89

Member
Oct 8, 2009
226
3
19
Washington, IL
Nov 12, 2009
#6
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #6
Does anyone use the Intake spacers? They help much or just a hyped up add on?
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
Nov 12, 2009
#7
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #7
Slo5Oh89 said:
Does anyone use the Intake spacers? They help much or just a hyped up add on?
Click to expand...

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

mineralgsvt

Founding Member
Nov 9, 2001
583
1
18
Carmel, IN
Nov 12, 2009
#8
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #8
90lxcoupe said:
Get the ford rubber gaskets that are have a bonded metal ring in them.
Click to expand...

+1 - What he said.
 

68stang351

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Nov 12, 2009
#9
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #9
90lxcoupe said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Nov 12, 2009
#10
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #10
68stang351 said:
Fel Pro makes some like that too, the Perma-Dry. That's what I use on all my stuff.
Awesome.
Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Nov 12, 2009
#11
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #11
90lxcoupe said:
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
Click to expand...

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

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Nov 12, 2009
#12
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #12
68stang351 said:
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!
Click to expand...

Mabye were talking about two different gaskets then.
 

68stang351

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
850
9
39
Savoy TX
Nov 12, 2009
#13
  • Nov 12, 2009
  • #13
90lxcoupe said:
Mabye were talking about two different gaskets then.
Click to expand...

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".
 
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