2.9 Valve covers

[shadetreebronco]

I have a 87 Bronco II , the heads where replaced with re-manufactured heads in 1999 , I don't know at the moment if they are 89TM heads.
The valve cover gaskets where changed just before i purchased the truck a few months ago and now starting to leak again.
I see that the valve cover gaskets are the same part numbers for all years with the 2.9 .
I read in the 2.9 tech section that 89 valve covers have a turned up flange my covers are turned down.
So I am wondering if the 89TM valve covers for the new style head's would be a better seal.
A fairly local salvage yard has 89 BII parts at the moment and wondering if it's worth the trip to get correct valve covers for the newer heads.
I may grab the heads also !!

Any input would be great I like to do things the right way , well most of the time.

 

[adsm08]

I would confirm which heads you have first. You are correct that the older covers won't seal properly on the newer heads because the one section is a different shape, but it's hard to get the older covers on the newer heads.

It does not take much to warp those tin covers though. It you tighten the bolts down too much they warp and then they won't seal.

 

[shadetreebronco]

At the moment I have a few leaks at the bolt holes , the bolts do have the wings.
I think I also read where the gaskets need to be trimmed at the bolt hole area if the valve cover lip is turned down.
I may pick up the 89 covers if i can get them cheap , It's tough to find Bronco II parts here in CT.
Is there any casting numbers on outside of the heads where i can tell if they are the improved heads ?
Thanks again.

 

[adsm08]

http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.shtml

 

[shadetreebronco]

I did look at that page , i guess i can see if my heads have the straight edge between the two bolt holes in the middle of the head.