I am about to take off my intake manifold to change the valve cover gasket. Whats a good to clean the carbon off of it. And is there anything else i need to clean like the EGR, etc.

1987 F150 2wd
4.9L, 4 spd manual
31X10.5X15 BF's ATs
3" suspension lift
163,000 and counting

 

Ford used to make a great cleaner , but of course anything good gets canned . I use Carb Cleaner from Toyota , Its way better than any of the diluted stuff you buy in auto part stores . I recently used it on my intake , spray it in there & it takes very little scrubbing to clean it up like new . It wouldnt hurt to clean out the Egr passages either .

 

This is the first time i am doing this and i dont' want to mess up anything. i have the valve cover gasket and upper intake manifold gasket, do i need anyone gaskets. EGR one??? anything else i should know how to take everything off. any special tools

1987 F150 2wd
4.9L, 4 spd manual
31X10.5X15 BF's ATs
3" suspension lift
163,000 and counting

 

I use carb cleaner to get carbon off, any good brand works great. You will need a new gasket for the egr valve if you remove it and clean it out. I have mine disconnected and get better performance and mileage that way.


1985 F-150, Black with black fiberglass cap. 300 6. Aluminum mag wheels, BF goodrich tires.

 

If you have time, take the manifold to a auto machine shop and have it "hot tanked." I'm sure there's differences between your '87 and my '79 300-6, but I don't think you'll need to remove the manifold to replace the valve cover gasket. I've read the rubber gaskets are better than the cork ones - just more $$. I've got one waiting for me the next time I have to do the job. Carefully torque the valve cover screws, if you over torque them you'll distort the gasket resulting in short gasket life. You'll also need some gasket sealer - the part store will tell you which one is best for your job. You should check out the pushrods and head components while you have the cover off.

 

Two weeks ago I replaced the valve cover gasket on my '85 300 and did not have to take off the intake manifold. But if you are wanting to take off the intake any way, more power to you. All I did was remove the fuel line that runs over top of the valve cover and disconnected any wires that ran over it. It was a real mess. 16 years of oil, dirt and grime on it.

I used Berrymen's Chemtool to clean the valve cover and gasket surfaces. I've used it for a very long time. Just don't get it on anything plastic or it will eventually make it brittle.

 

the upper manifold on an 87 and up EFI has to be removed, it goes over top the valve cover, i just did mine 2 weeks ago and the egr gasket came with the manifold set. keep it hooked up , on an EFI engine it will wreck havoc on the computer if it is malfunctioning also i dont think you can hot tank aluminum can you? any carb cleaner will do the job if you use enough.let it soak.

87 f-250
" if you are going to have a bear, it might as well be a grizzly"
4.9 granny tranny 4.11 gears

 

HA! Oops, I guess I should read first. Open mouth, insert foot.

:-)