leaky valve cover gaskets?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,143
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leaky valve cover gaskets?
'86 F-150 EFI 302
Engine has 8,000 miles on it. There is oil on top of the lip (where the bolts are) on both valve covers. Is this from leaking gaskets? There has been some oil (not a lot) getting on the exhaust manifolds and smelling. Any tips on putting new gaskets in? The gaskets seem to be smooshed out in some areas. Any other advice is appreciated.
Engine has 8,000 miles on it. There is oil on top of the lip (where the bolts are) on both valve covers. Is this from leaking gaskets? There has been some oil (not a lot) getting on the exhaust manifolds and smelling. Any tips on putting new gaskets in? The gaskets seem to be smooshed out in some areas. Any other advice is appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 453
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From: RI
Sounds like it. Sometimes too, you may need to just tighten the bolts that hold the valve covers down. They will just come loose after a while.... You might as well change the gaskets and tighten things down again, then check after a while to see if you have any more leaks.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
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I've been doing some searching here and elsewhere, and it seems that most people recommend rubber gaskets. I'll grab a pair tomorrow and see what comes of it. Hey, at least I've got something to do now. 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Beaverton, Oregon
Not sure if these come stock on a 302, but one thing that worked on my 460 was using those load spreaders under the bolts. They are kinda spring-loaded deals that are about 4" long and thin, with a hole in the middle. You put them under the bolt (bolt through the hole) and it helps to spread the clamping force out over the valve cover.
Fixed my leaking problem...no more oily smell from the engine compartment, and I can run full synthetic in my engine without breaking the bank by adding a quart every week.
Dan Martin
1986 F350 Crewcab Dually, 460, C6.
Fixed my leaking problem...no more oily smell from the engine compartment, and I can run full synthetic in my engine without breaking the bank by adding a quart every week.
Dan Martin
1986 F350 Crewcab Dually, 460, C6.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
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Another question: What kind of sealant should I use on the rubber gaskets? The guy at the store sold me a tube of 3M all-purpose weather strip/sealant. Do rubber gaskets need this sealant on both sides?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
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Sometimes too, you may need to just tighten the bolts that hold the valve covers down.
How tight should I make the bolts? I snugged them with only a little pressure. Don't know how hard I can go.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
You should have them torqued ok now. My dad has a 87 302 EFI and he just had the valve cover gaskets done. I didn't want to do them so he sent them in to get done. It cost him just over $200 Canadian plus the parts. If you do to Ford they have a new type of valve cover gasket (at least I have never seen it!). It is a gasket made of metal. It's kinda cool and I guess it is supposed to last longer. They cost $20 per gasket which is a little bit much but worth it if they last longer. So, if you havent changed them yet and youhave to I would recommend the metal ones. Good luck!
-Matt
-Matt
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Posting Guru
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From: SE Texas
The vc bolts are supposed to be torqued to 20-INCH pounds, which is just snug. If you have old covers, you can hammer flat the bolt holes, as they get dented in over time and can cause leaks. I just use the regular cork gaskets, but the $20 rubber ones are good, too. I used the hold-downs and hardware that came with my chrome valve covers, and no more leaky!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Carlsbad TX
I like the rubber ones. I just put a set on my 460. The cork ones can be over-tightened real easy because you can't see how much it's being squashed. I always put some high temp sealant on the VC side and just a dab of grease on the other, with a bit of lock tight on the threads so they won't back off because they are just snug anyway. Get a torque wrench and put 20 in. lbs. on something. That isn't very much.
I had to replace the VC gaskets on my 93 Probe GT (V6) once. They were 80.00 and I had to remove the intake!!!
C-
I had to replace the VC gaskets on my 93 Probe GT (V6) once. They were 80.00 and I had to remove the intake!!!
C-
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