Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

[iamcams]

I have a 1992 Ford Ranger 2.9L. I am trying to replace the valve cover gaskets as they're leaking. I know I need to disconnect the breather and spark plug wires, but that is not enough. The ac compressor is in the way of me pulling out the valve cover so I have to take it off. I don't know how to do this, but I do know that I need to remove the drive belt first. However, my truck does not have a tensioner pulley so I don't know how to do that.

 

[Shran]

The belts on your engine are tensioned by a nut that pushes against the power steering pulley bracket and a bolt on the other side that screws into the alternator. To loosen the belts you need to loosen those fasteners AND the bolts that the accessories pivot on.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

IIRC you gotta actually pull the bracket and compressor to do the VC gasket

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

A bit of advice to be sure you don’t have to deal with the gaskets again, go get some Permatex Gasket Shellac (used to be Indian Head Gasket Shellac). I know Autozone has it, not sure about other places. I smear it on the head and the valve cover and set the gasket with it wet usually because it’s a pain to do it the way you’re supposed to. Works amazing, if it ever has to come back off be prepared to have to persuade it with a dead blow mallet.

 

[Shran]

Indian Head is awesome for cork, not really necessary for rubber and not needed at all for the Fel-pro perma-torque valve cover gaskets - FYI.

Think Rusty is right about needing the AC bracket out of the way, my 2.9 doesn’t have AC so it’s a non issue for me.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Indian Head is awesome for cork, not really necessary for rubber and not needed at all for the Fel-pro perma-torque valve cover gaskets - FYI.

Think Rusty is right about needing the AC bracket out of the way, my 2.9 doesn’t have AC so it’s a non issue for me.

I did the VC's on rusty #1 (no AC) and rusty #2 (AC)...with the AC its a pain in the nuts compared to non AC. Just like plug changes lol.

I just used the felpro rubber ones and never had a issue

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Indian Head is awesome for cork, not really necessary for rubber and not needed at all for the Fel-pro perma-torque valve cover gaskets - FYI.

Think Rusty is right about needing the AC bracket out of the way, my 2.9 doesn’t have AC so it’s a non issue for me.

I’ve had rubber leak. Both cork and rubber get Indian Head for me. Never bought the perma-torque, but I have thrown away ones that were leaking…

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I’ve had rubber leak. Both cork and rubber get Indian Head for me. Never bought the perma-torque, but I have thrown away ones that were leaking…

Ive found the biggest reason the cork ones leak is the damn bolts rattle loose on the covers.

I always figured the rubber offered some vibration dampening. Lol.

Ive never heard of indian head

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

 

[iamcams]

Does it matter what gasket I use (cork, rubber, specific brand)? I go to AutoZone.

 

[RobbieD]

I prefer rubber.

Don't over-tighten the valve cover bolts; go with the correct torque spec, and recheck them after driving it a while.

 

[iamcams]

Also, is there maybe a video link that I can use? The only ones I can find are without AC.

 

[JohnG]

I prefer rubber.

Don't over-tighten the valve cover bolts; go with the correct torque spec, and recheck them after driving it a while.

You wouldn't happen to know the torque spec would you?

 

[gaz]

@iamcams
I have never had to remove anything else but the valve covers to replace the Valve Cover Gaskets. I'm not saying that it couldn't be performed easier by moving some stuff,just that it is not required.

I will only use the FELPRO Blue gasket, they are the only gaskets I've tried that do not leak.

 

[gaz]

You wouldn't happen to know the torque spec would you?

Off the top of my head, they use standard metric 8mm bolts...12-15 ftlbs.