OK. What is the deal with replacing the PCV valve on a 1990 F150 EFI 302 motor? I got the old one out no problem (as it pretty much fell out), but I cannot get the new one in. The grommet alone will go in, but there is no leverage to put the valve in. Do I put them together first and somehow put them in? Or do I have to remove the entire intake manifold assembly to get clear access to the valve cover? What is the trick here?

Sean
:-X11

 

Just replaced mine today. Have an 89 F-150 302 5.0 4x4. It's pretty tough to get your hands in there to get everything seated just right. I ended up taking the PCV hose loose from the Intake, installed the grommet, and then put the PCV valve in the grommet. Then I gently reconnected the hose to the intake. Guaranteed to give ya a few bloody knuckles and will catch yourself cussin' Ford for the poor ergonomics of it's location... but it is definitely possible.
Sure makes you wonder why something that is supposed to be changed on a regular basis is put in such a hard to reach place.

While you have the PCV hose off, be sure to inspect it. Mine had multiple cracks at both ends and was generally brittle. Doesn't do much good to replace the PCV and put it back into a leaking hose.

 

What I ended up doing was relocating the stupid valve to a place that I can get at it. I installed the new grommet and then fit a threaded brass right angle piece into it. I ground the threads off the end that goes through the grommet to make it look like this: =-> so it would snap into the grommet and not fall out. Then I used a pipe nipple and a one foot piece of heater hose and some hose clamps. The return used a press-fit butt connector and a one foot piece of air hose. Presto! The PCV valve is now on the firewall where it will take all of ten seconds to change in the future. Now there will be no excuse for neglecting to change it.