Valve Cover Gasket

[Fordman]

I have a nagging oil leak from my valve cover gasket at the front of the engine. It didn't start until I changed the gasket to fix the leak from the rear of the engine a few months ago. It was leaking off of the front of the head, so I pulled the cam gear off last week to fix the gasket. The gasket was out of place inside the cover The only way I could get it to stay outside was put each lip of the gasket on either side of the lip on the valve cover. Now It's leaking right on the side of the housing for the camshaft. Looking at the gasket, it just doesn't look right. I attached a picture. It may be kind of hard to see. Is this the normal installation location?

Thanks for any replies.

[Fordman]

Here's another picture. Note the lip on the blue gasket just outside the valve cover's lip.

Also, it is a Felpro gasket. Should I have bought a gasket from Ford?

[richsvo]

I have always used the Ford rubber gasket (not the cork one) and I use RTV between it and the valve cover. I just put enough to hold it in place when I slip the cover over the head. I have never had a leak using this method.
HTH,
Rich

[Fordman]

You used RTV between the gasket and cover but not between the gasket and head? How come not between the gasket and head? I didn't put any RTV on it. I was under the impression that it didn't need it since it was rubber although I now it would help.

[NY eric]

fail pro

I have never had luck with the blue fail pro. The ford ranger gasket is the winner hands down. I dont use any RTV but I am also real particular about fit. If your valve cover is twisted slightly rtv will be your freind.

good luck

[TheViking]

I found the valve cover bolts need to be checked/retightened from time to time.

[AT6svo]

From my archives....

Valve cover gasket

Get # F57Z-6584-A from your friendly Ford dealer. Found out that the one I want is for 95 and up ranger 2.3

HTH

[richsvo]

The use of the RTV was not for sealing purposes. The rubber gasket will seal just fine by itself. It is just to hold it in place on the cover while you slip it over the head.
Rich

[Fordman]

Originally posted by AT6svo
Get # F57Z-6584-A from your friendly Ford dealer. Found out that the one I want is for 95 and up ranger 2.3

Is this the rubber gasket? If I call the dealer and ask for a gasket for a 84 SVO are they gonna sell me the cork one or has it been updated by Ford to the same as the 95 Ranger?

[SVOBart]

I beleive from speaking to my buddy at the parts counter at John Bleakley that the rubber one is the only gasket available now.

[Fordman]

Cool, I'll call the dealer today. I think I screwed the Felpro up when I installed it the first time. There were no leaks except up front and then after I pulled the valve cover loose and broke the seal to get the gasket in place and retightened it, it began leaking all around. I'm just gonna get a Ford gasket and get it overwith.

[SVOeric]

I got one delivered to my door yesterday from forced4 -- cheaper than from my ford dealer!

[NavySVO]

Originally posted by SVOeric
I got one delivered to my door yesterday from forced4 -- cheaper than from my ford dealer!

I need to stake out your front door.....you get all the goodies!

[Eyelawdoc]

In defense of the Felpro blue rubber gasket, it is a fine piece when properly installed. I am currently running 8 of them in the fleet with no problems.

The secret I found is to install it DRY with NO sealant on a clean head with no oil or residue on the gasket/ head /valve cover interfaces.

Place and align the gasket on the head. Then position the valve cover on the gasket. work it down slowly over the gasket and get your valve cover bolts started all the way around. Tighten them down slowly and gradually working your way around the valve cover.

Make sure it doesn't push out at the front. If it does, loosen up on all the bolts and raise the valve cover up so you can push it back in again up front. Then retighten evenly all the bolts until it is down and in position.

Patience with a little paractice and it will come out right every time!

[rschonegg]

okay i know....

this has nothing to do with this thread, but .....

quoted from Eyelawdoc: "I am currently running 8 of them in the fleet with no problems."

sick, just sick


i think i know were the SVOCA museum is at, or should be