I need reasurance..(valve cover gasket Q)

the valve cover gaskets from ford are better because they are made from rubber, don't use the cork ones. It's really easy to do them but you need a plenum to lower intake gasket as well, because you have to take off the plenum to get the one valve cover off (there are two bolts under the 5.0 plate,two at the back and two at the front of the plenum).I never used a torque wrench for mine but that sounds right, if you are still unsure then buy a chiltons manual or haynes they are very discriptive. And don't worry about these questions we all start somewhere. Good luck

as i recall, the ford gaskets have metal sandwiched in them. good stuff.
also, i think the HO plaque is held in with Torx bolts, so make sure you have some drivers for them (or pick some up at the parts store after getting gaskets- trying to save a trip to the store).
good luck.