Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Cleaning heads?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 1, 2012 | 12:54 PM
  #1  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
Cleaning heads?

Okay buddy of mine told me if I pulled my valve covers off and cleaning the sludge out of my heads I would get better performance, I told him he was smokin crack lol 96 f150 5.0, what do y'all think?
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2012 | 01:51 PM
  #2  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Your friend is wrong.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2012 | 01:55 PM
  #3  
rustybuttrusty's Avatar
rustybuttrusty
Trailering
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
Well thats probably a good start. And while you have the covers off....
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2012 | 01:56 PM
  #4  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
Thank you lol I was like dude it's not that simple
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2012 | 01:57 PM
  #5  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
See its my daily driver so I can't go digging into it hard, but how hard would it be to pulls the valve covers off and paint em?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 08:33 AM
  #6  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There shouldn't be any sludge in your heads, if there is put seafoam through it and change the oil a few times.

The drivers side valve cover comes off relatively easy after removing the bracket with the coil and solenoids, but the upper intake has to come off to remove the passenger side.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 09:03 AM
  #7  
Diesel_Brad's Avatar
Diesel_Brad
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Agreed.

If you have sludge under your valve covers, it is everywhere in the engine. And it does not decrease performance, just decreases engine life
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 04:04 PM
  #8  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
So removing the valve covers and painting them isn't like a job to start now if I'm gonna need to drive the truck Tuesday mornin
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 07:32 PM
  #9  
Evan_P's Avatar
Evan_P
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
Depends on how fast you work. Entire upper intake plenum and throttle body have to come off. Think you can remove it, the covers, paint and reassemble in a day?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 07:57 PM
  #10  
Diesel_Brad's Avatar
Diesel_Brad
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Taking the valve covers off(including pulling the plenum for the passenger side) is about a 1 hour job
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 09:12 PM
  #11  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
Yah I'm sure me and my cousin could do it
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2012 | 09:15 PM
  #12  
FordYoungGun35's Avatar
FordYoungGun35
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Poplar Bluff, MO
I would need to get heat resistant paint for the intake and valve covers right?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
roadhouse1979
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 9, 2013 03:21 AM
Khauler
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Feb 9, 2011 11:23 PM
Nighte51
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
3
Apr 18, 2008 02:15 PM
jav409
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
21
Mar 9, 2008 06:33 AM
mytpnkn
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
3
May 20, 2003 03:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:46 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE