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Topic: Valve cover gaskets (Read 2142 times) previous topic - next topic

Valve cover gaskets

I want to replace my valve cover gaskets cause they are leaking!  I've been looking for the really good kind, the ones with the inner metal and outer rubber, does anyone know where I might buy these at?  Or what kind of gasket do you have on your Cougar 3.8 V6 ?  Help

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #1 –
I looked up Foprd 3.8 liter rubber valve cover gaskets and saw some on Ebay as low as $8.00 shipped.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #2 –
What year 3.8 do you have? They're not all the same.

IRRC, '83-'86 use metal covers and '87-'88 have plastic covers and have different gaskets.

When I looked several years ago, nobody made a premium (non-cork) gasket for the early 3.8s. Looks like there are some non-cork options now.

All Vehicles > FORD > 1985 > THUNDERBIRD > 3.8L 232 cubic inch V6 > Engine > Valve Cover Gasket
ROL GASKETS VS938HP - $3.85
FEL-PRO VS50212T PermaDryPlus - $5.87
MAGNUM VS25131 MaxDry SS - $9.73

Pass on the Rol Gaskets (from Rockauto, at least), they're on wholesaler closeout - not a good thing.

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #3 –
The metal valve covers only have a cork gasket listed.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #4 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;452365
The metal valve covers only have a cork gasket listed.

All the '85s have metal covers, but the Rockauto listings shows rubber gaskets.

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #5 –
if you have nipped down the bolts and still leaks check out diy help there is a section on valve covers distorting beat mine out straight had no leaks since.

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #6 –
Quote from: JeremyB;452366
All the '85s have metal covers, but the Rockauto listings shows rubber gaskets.

Hmm. O'reilly was only showing cork/rubber gaskets for the metal valve covers.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #7 –
Thanks guys, going with Magnum and or some blur silicone sealer.  lol

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #8 –
If you get rubber gaskets, you shouldn't need any sealant. Just clean and dry surfaces.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

Valve cover gaskets

Reply #9 –
mr glee already mentioned it, but make sure the sealing surfaces are flat. They can often be distorted by somebody over-torqueing the bolts down to stop a leak.

Quote from: vinnietbird;452639
If you get rubber gaskets, you shouldn't need any sealant. Just clean and dry surfaces.

Yup, no RTV needed, which is part of the reason they're so nice!
Quote from: thunderjet302;452403
Hmm. O'reilly was only showing cork/rubber gaskets for the metal valve covers.

It may have changed, but I normally find that Rockauto has a better selection of parts (both manufs. and variations of parts from the same manufs.) than brick and mortar parts stores.