guitarist4life

For ****s and giggles I went to a local automotive repair shop and asked them how much it would cost to replace my upper intake manifold gasket and valve cover gaskets. Apparently it takes four hours worth of labor (at $75 an hour ) plus $150 in parts. Am I wrong to think that thats a huge over price? I just bought all the gaskets i needed (timing cover gasket valver cover gaskets and upper intake gaskets), plus windshield wipers, 4 bulbs (2 parking and 2 reverse) all for... *gasp* $88.

They wouldnt take my gaskets saying they dont wanna be responsible for em should something go wrong, even though I bought the warranty with the gaskets.

I wanna save money and do it myself. The Chiltons guide has pretty much told me what i needed to know I think. Im used to working on my nissan where the valve cover was directly on top, took 10 minute to replace gasket. My 1991 5.0 seems a little bit more labor intensive then that. Its pissing oil out of the gaskets on the firewall side of the engine, dripping onto my transmission making quite the mess and stink. The engine is caked in oil below the valve covers., and i was told by previous owner its just that valve cover gaskets thats leaking. Should i be looking for something else as well? Or from what ive described does it sound like just the gaskets are shot? Would pictures help?

Any tips, advice anyone could offer would be much appreciated. Tts just valve covers right? It shouldnt take four hours or am i missing something.

86 5.0L

if its your first time it might take awhile. and I believe you need to remove the upper intake manifold for the drivers side cover.

Js88lx

You should do it up yourself, shops are no go! I change the valve cover gaskets on my stang with the intake manifold unbolted but still plugged to all hoses., Just gotta be very carefull and it will save you time.

guitarist4life

Ya, according to my reseach I have to remove the upper intake manifold. Thats why I bought the intake manifold gasket

Thanks for the input guys!

Jabtyson34

Remove the intake completely, it's a lot easier to get to the valve covers when it's off. Plus, you don't want to pop a gasket out because you couldn't see it. Don't tighten the valve covers too tight and don't take it to those mechanics and you should be good. You should also replace the PCV valve, it's cheap and necessary.

Js88lx

Well to each there own, just is the way i do it. Goodluck!

rmodel65

easy job

67mustang302

If you want no valve cover leaks for ever, use a good set of cast aluminum covers and the fel-pro 1 piece rubber/steel core gasket.

TrimDrip

^agreed, the ones that come on the mustangs are good gaskets. You want a gasket with a steel core.

The only thing you really need to worry about is breaking one of the plenum bolts.

guitarist4life

I got the fel-pro gaskets. Should be an easy job