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I am the 4th owner of a 1986 Ford F-150 (5.0 EFI). I was looking at my engine gaskets and wondered if the blue gasket in the photo below was a Ford factory gasket. To my untrained eye it looks like it is not because I would expect a factory seal to be "smoother" or more even. But maybe I am wrong.
If it is not a factory seal (or gasket) then I have to wonder what might have been done to the engine that I do not know about. My question is more out of curiosity than anything else.
Let me know your thoughts.
Is this a Ford factory seal or was this a replacement?
That is a replacement valve cover gasket. They do not last very long. I would not be surprised if that is the 2nd or 3rd set that engine has had on it. They like to leak after a few years.
That looks like Felpro gasket as I recall they are blue in color.
If your valve cover is not leaking a serious amount of oil, go find something else to worry about, . Your valve cover looks nice and dry. Only problem with that is "rust", oil keeps things from rusting. As you can see, my engine is not as clean as yours.
Here's a couple shots of my engine that was a Ford create motor back in 1991, it has about 43,000 miles since then. I did snug up the oil pan bolts early Nov, most of them were a tad loose.
I am the 4th owner of a 1986 Ford F-150 (5.0 EFI). I was looking at my engine gaskets and wondered if the blue gasket in the photo below was a Ford factory gasket. To my untrained eye it looks like it is not because I would expect a factory seal to be "smoother" or more even. But maybe I am wrong.
If it is not a factory seal (or gasket) then I have to wonder what might have been done to the engine that I do not know about. My question is more out of curiosity than anything else.
Let me know your thoughts.
Is this a Ford factory seal or was this a replacement?
It’s definitely a aftermarket gasket. I am the second owner my 86 Lariat with 5.0 EFI and have owned it for 20+ years and it had aftermarkets on it when I got it. Mine isn’t a daily driver and I have put 2 sets on it.
Once last question: Is this gasket something that would be installed by a DIY mechanic like us (well, not me - beyond my skills!) or would a garage do it?
It's hard to know what a P.O. might have done or not done to the truck.
It’s a fairly simple job just alittle time consuming. Just remove the air cleaner box from the drivers side and just the upper intake only and then you can get to them both. But like the old saying, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it!
x2 or is it 3 now?
You can always bribe a mechanically inclined friend with a 6 pack to help with light maintenance like changing a valve cover gasket.
. Your valve cover looks nice and dry. Only problem with that is "rust", oil keeps things from rusting. As you can see, my engine is not as clean as yours.
