[charonte]

I need to replace my valve cover gaskets on my 1989 5.0 - they're leaking bad. My neighbor says it will take about 45 minutes. Another guy says the driver's side will take about 30 minutes, but the passenger side will take about 1.5 hours - so the total job is about 2 hours. My mechanic says it's about a 5 hour job for his shop to do it, and it will cost me about $450.

I've changed the gaskets on a 1969 390 V-8 years ago, but nothing since. I'd like to just order the gaskets/kit online and do it myself....what's the consensus - is this closer to a 1 hour do-it-yourself job, or a 5 hour $450 job like the mechanic quoted me (the mechanic said they'll do a better job because they'll "clean" everything...?).

Thanks.

 

[fastford727]

It just depends on how comfortable you are w/ the job & your pace. I'm pretty sure my 16 yr old son w/ no exsperience could do it in less than 5 hrs. Upper intake has to come off then valve covers, not that major. I got my gaskets from autozone & they are bada#*! They are metal inside & covered in blue rubber, you can reuse them over & over again w/ no sealer.

 

[fastford727]

P.s. they are felpro gaskets.P#-vs13264t

 

[90fox6101]

Agreed on the felpro rubber/metal gaskets. I just changed mine, took 1 1/2 hours max not rushing. Buy the $20 valve cover gaskets, and a $10 dollar intake gasket and do it yourself. Simple, and saves tons of time and money.

 

[fastford727]

Gotta love these mechanics & their prices. That is a very dishonest quote. I do a/c & refrigeration work & these service companies are alot like auto shops & give all techs a bad name!

 

[ThePenitantMan]

All you have to do is remember where all the parts go when its time to put everything back together. use a blackberry camera or a digital camera if you don't think you'll be able to remember. that mechanic is ready to take you on the longest ride ever!!!!!!!

 

[charonte]

Thanks for the replies...and for the part recommendation!!! I'll order the parts and tackle it myself - I'll post an update once the job is complete!

 

[stangdawg]

Gotta love these mechanics & their prices. That is a very dishonest quote. I do a/c & refrigeration work & these service companies are alot like auto shops & give all techs a bad name!

I hear ya. A/C work is expensive as the refrigerant evacuation/recharge can't be done by shade tree mechanics like me. So unless you find a reasonable shop you're stuck.

I got a quote from a local garage this week and they want $175 to evacaute and recharge my A/C lines when I'm readdy to replace my lines. Ouch. The lines and condenser alone are a few hundred bucks to replace. That's some expensive cold air

 

[fastford727]

Yeah & you know nobody is in business to just give sh#t away for free or even for cost, but these guys are tryin' to hit a home run on every cutomer that comes through the door instead of woring for their $ like all of us do. $450 is over $200 an hour! Really?! Any normal person would be glad to do a 2 hour job for $100- $150 & be making good $ @ that.

 

[dtfan]

If you have valve cover gaskets leaking make sure you have replaced PCV filter and grommet and checked PCV valve. Clogged PCV filter is one of the main reasons for engine gaskets and seals leakage.

Since you have to remove the upper intake, it is good time to check also the front and rear lower intake gaskets and the O-ring of the distributor. Fel-Pro makes very good intake manifold set for 10$ (MS93334). Replacement is not difficult.

 

[need4spd90]

you can remove the upper intake/egr spacer/throttlebody all as one unit and you wont have to replace those gaskets

+1 on replacing the PCV while you're in there

 

[robzh358]

Do you have to take off the throttle body also, to get to the passenger side? Just taking off the upper intake should allow you to get to the driver's side and the passenger side should be able to be maneuvered out without the hassle of removing the TB, right? (1987 EFI, GT)

 

[MarkS93]

Just unhook the air intake tube from your throttle body, remove the EGR. Unhook the throttle cable from the bottom of the throttle body, disconnect the 2 small coolant lines to the EGR spacer (between the upper intake and throttle body) and oil breather line from the passenger side oil fill tube to the throttle body. Disconnect the electrical connections from the TPS, EGR and IAC. Unhook all the vacuum lines going to the upper intake. Remove the upper intake with the throttle body intact. Do both valve cover gaskets and put back all of the above!!

 

[mccance]

I would also consider investing in some valve cover studs. I really like them. it makes positioning the gasket and the valve cover very easy and "idiot proof"

Arp Mustang Valve Cover Stud Kit for Aluminum Valve Covers (79-95) 5.0 5.8

 

[robzh358]

OK. Thanks. I saw a video on youtube where it only took a guy 6 1/2 minutes to take it off..... I'm thinking it'll take me considerably longer. I also have a vacuum leak that causes pretty bad idle surge sometimes... it's been impossible to find. Think it might be anywhere in that mess?

 

[8950]

I would use the Ford steel valve cover gaskets with the rubber bead.

I've had them on for many years and they never leak.