New valve cover gaskets

[mgold97]

Just installed a set of felpro black rubber valve cover gaskets and went for a test drive. Having some smoke coming out on both sides still. Would it be old oil burning off headers or maybe new rubber gasket is smoking? Any other ideas?

P.S Can't really see any leaks.

1989 ford bronco II 2.9l

 

[TexCaliBII]

Hello,
I takes a while to burn of all the oil that leaked out. The gaskets are not your issue and it will all burn off in a little while. When you did the valve covers did you look at the distro base too? The o-ring that seals the distro is also a high leak area on these engines, at least in my experience. If you see no more oil leaking then you are most likely GTG. Cheers!

 

[mgold97]

Thank you and I hope its the case, because it was a major pain to change them. Is there any way to clean headers from all the old oil stains so I can see for sure there are no new leaks?

 

[Steeda04SVT]

Good thread, That's been on my list of things to do this weekend as well is to do my Valve Cover gaskets.

 

[Charles]

Which gasket type is prefered to use for Valve covers? Cork, Steel, Rubber?

 

[TexCaliBII]

RUBBER! Never seen steel ones though and the cork ones will crack in short order and leak again, ask me how I know...... As for cleaning the old oil stains off. I swear but superclean and a pressure washer. Otherwise it will burn off in short order. You'll know if you still have fresh oil leaking on them. And yes they are a pain to change out in the truck but well worth it. Also, I recommend lock tight on the valve cover bolts. The rubber gaskets are springy and can make the bolts back out over time. I did not do that the first time and had to tighten up a few bolts later on. I now run a tap into all the holes and clean them out then lock tight them. Over kill I know but I hate redoing work when there are enough other issues the truck needs taken care of.

 

[shane96ranger]

Once you've used steel you'll never use anything else. Steel won't blow out. The steel one's I've used (on a 4.0 and a 5.0) also had rubber on molded to them.

 

[big red 138]

you can go to napa and they they sell these cans called engine-brite, its a foam that eats away al the old gunk and oil from your motor. its good cause itll give you a better picture of what is leaking NOW, instead of trying to figure it out in all that mess.....plus who doesnt like working on clean motors.

 

[mgold97]

Thanx for your advice everybody. I think i will go with napa method, can i power wash it with spark plugs and wires still on a car or do I have top cover everything up? I just got my bronco II(first ever) 2 weeks ago and this was the first forum I sign on to and you guys are great with all the info.