Fox Original valve covers for 1986 Mustang 5.0

JohnG · Feb 26, 2023

Does anyone have photos of the original valve covers for this engine? I have an engine in parts (minus some key items) and want to put it together correctly. I have seen some photos on the internet showing the same valve covers as the 87+ engines. Is this true? I have an extra set of those.
Also, while we are talking about it, are the front accessory mounting brackets the same as 87+ engines?

Mustang5L5 · Feb 26, 2023

Yes, the valve covers are the same as the 87-90 mustangs. I believe in 1991 Ford changed how they made the covers so it’s slightly different.

Inside the valve cover will be a part number E6ZE signifies a 1986 Mustang engineering part number, and the 87 in the circle is the actual year the valve cover was cast and the dots are the months. In this case, october of 1987 and these valve covers were on my ‘88 built in early 1988

Front dress is very similar to 1987 and 1988 if not identical. I believe the front dress actually began in 1984 and carried through.

90sickfox · Feb 27, 2023

I can confirm they are the same as 87 and up. 5L5 is on point.

JohnG · Feb 27, 2023

Thanks guys. That's what I was looking for. I'll check my valve covers to see what the part number is. I wonder what the difference is between the early and late cast covers.

85GTStangGuy · Feb 27, 2023

JohnG said:
...... I wonder what the difference is between the early and late cast covers.

The factory valve covers on my 85 had cast-in ribs on the top and "POWERED BY FORD" was cast into a blank spot in the ribbed area.

Here's an example I found on ebay.

POWERED BY FORD Factory Aluminum Valve Covers OEM 289 302 351 Mustang | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for POWERED BY FORD Factory Aluminum Valve Covers OEM 289 302 351 Mustang at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Mustang5L5 · Feb 27, 2023

JohnG said:
Thanks guys. That's what I was looking for. I'll check my valve covers to see what the part number is. I wonder what the difference is between the early and late cast covers.

Differences between 86-90 and 91-93 covers is that the later covers have more internal clearance as some of the reinforcing ribs are removed. SO they might allow for a set of roller rockers to clear better. I do not know what year the transition was, it could be 1991 or 1992.

1993-95 cobra valve covers are unique as they are double wall stamped and have a sound insulation material between the two layers. The 91-93 thunderbird/cougar and 94-95 mustang GT have similar valve covers but it's not clear if they also have the insulation material between the two layers.

85GTStangGuy · Feb 27, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
1993-95 cobra valve covers are unique as they are double wall stamped and have a sound insulation material between the two layers. The 91-93 thunderbird/cougar and 94-95 mustang GT have similar valve covers but it's not clear if they also have the insulation material between the two layers.

Fyi, my source shows that the double-walled "sandwich-style" valve covers (with the sound insulating mastic layer) did not come on the 93 Cobra..... they only came on the 94-95 Cobra, and subsequently on 96-and-later Mountaineers with the 5.0L motor. I don't believe the 91-93 Tbird/Cougars had them. I have no idea about the 94-95 GT's though.

Reference source=The Official Ford Mustang 5.0 1979 through 1993 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook

Edit - Added reference source.

90sickfox · Mar 1, 2023

I have a set of 95 cobra valve covers and there's no double layer. They are 100% factory stock.

Cheapskate207 · Mar 2, 2023

interesting info. Do these double walled, insulated valve covers work well to quiet down rocker noise?

Mustang5L5 · Mar 2, 2023

Cheapskate207 said:
interesting info. Do these double walled, insulated valve covers work well to quiet down rocker noise?

That was the intent. They clear the crank pedestal 1.7RR's that came on the 94-95 cobras. No idea if they will clear stud-mounts.

I think i have a 94 brochure kicing around that mentions this

85GTStangGuy said:
Fyi, my source shows that the double-walled "sandwich-style" valve covers (with the sound insulating mastic layer) did not come on the 93 Cobra..... they only came on the 94-95 Cobra, and subsequently on 96-and-later Mountaineers with the 5.0L motor. I don't believe the 91-93 Tbird/Cougars had them. I have no idea about the 94-95 GT's though.

Reference source=The Official Ford Mustang 5.0 1979 through 1993 Technical Reference & Performance Handbook

Edit - Added reference source.

Interesting. I never knew the Explorers had the Quiet Steel covers.

Fox Original valve covers for 1986 Mustang 5.0

JohnG

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

JohnG

Member

85GTStangGuy

POWERED BY FORD Factory Aluminum Valve Covers OEM 289 302 351 Mustang | eBay

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

85GTStangGuy

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Cheapskate207

The left one hangs a little lower

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Fox Original valve covers for 1986 Mustang 5.0

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

The left one hangs a little lower

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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