• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

How much **** do I have to unbolt to do valve cover gaskets on a 1990?


Strelok

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
30
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
Valve cover gaskets are leaking. Previous owner included nice look PermaDry rubber gaskets with the truck. Looks to me like I'll have to at least take the alternator off the starboard side and AC compressor off the port side, then still have to fanagle them through the rats nest.

Anyone know if it is in fact possible to get them out without unbolting this stuff before I go wasting my time?


 
Last edited:


adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Your situation is greatly complicated by the fact that you have AC.

Without the air conditioner it would be easy. With it, it's a giant pain.
 

IIBRONCOS

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
134
Reaction score
10
Points
18
Location
AZ
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Automatic
Start unbolting anything that is in the way, to leave room to lift them up and off. Make sure the valve cover bolt hardware stays in their respective positions. You may already know this, but lay a straight edge along the bottom of the valve covers and look for any areas where light shows through. Lightly tap the high spots on a vise or flat piece of steel, then re-check with level. When I did mine I used rubber gaskets coated lightly (both sides) with silicone grease. I finger turned all of them in as far as I could. I then started at the bottom middle bolt and lightly worked my way to the right and left of the lower row to get the cover to set against the rubber gasket where most of the oil would be inside the valve cover. I then started to do the top row, and around the ends. Go easy on the torque, it doesn't take much to seat the gaskets, and you wont end up re-bending the valve covers you just straightened. I have completely dry valve covers even to the touch at the gasket seal surfaces.
 
Last edited:

Elutheros

Active Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Messages
660
Reaction score
129
Points
43
Location
Central Texas
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I just did this on a 1991 4.0 the other night. Your A/C is going to make it harder, but start by taking the upper intake off. Then you can at least see the bolts on the top of the covers. A strong magnet comes in handy for collecting the loose bolts and getting them back in the holes. Ibuprofen can help your sore back after bending over to get through that mess.
 

elscotto80

New Member
Joined
May 7, 2018
Messages
14
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Automatic
I thought mine were leaking and was going to go down the same path of replacing the gaskets. I figured I would check the bolts first and all of them were loose. Tightened them all down, no more leaking. Maybe give that a try before tackling such a job?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top