Rocker cover gaskets - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Futura97 · 10-07-2003, 05:02

Found a pretty bad oil leak the other day coming out the front of my rocker cover gasket. Just wanted to know if this is an easy job to do, or should i just pass it of to a mechanic and get them to do it?

If i do it myself, can someone guide me through it quickly?

Aussiblue · 10-07-2003, 05:10

Yes an easy job. Just don't overtighten the retaining nuts and don't be tempted to use gasket goo.

LowSmoothNC · 10-08-2003, 21:35

i replaced mine with the flexible rubber type.
it's easy as. i managed to do it without disconnecting the throttle cables. but had to disconnect the brake vacuum hose from the brake drum to lift the rocker off and slide it out. Make sure u remove any gasket goo that's remaining coz i didn't and it continued leaking...
silly me

XTREME · 10-08-2003, 22:56

they are very easy to replace. one thing though, make sure you dont overtighten the bolts, as the cork or rubber compress to do the sealing

keysersozeCUST · 10-09-2003, 03:13

just remember to wait for the engine to cool down naturally and not use cold water to hurry thing up because the cover will crack... just something my sister did :-)

mongrelEB · 10-09-2003, 16:48

Why not use gasket goo?
As long as you clean the old stuff off, I never have a problem with it. I always use it just to be safe, and it doesn't cause me any trouble...

keysersozeCUST · 10-11-2003, 01:06

yep exactly, that stuff is really good on cork

torpa · 10-22-2003, 01:24

I always use a thin film of clear selastic where it seals on the head and seals on the rocker as every rubber gasket that I have fitted in the past has started seaping oil,mainly on the spark plug side.Must be because the tighten down bolts are in the centre on the rocker cover instead of the sides,but I spose it matches the bodgy heads as well.

Aussiblue · 10-22-2003, 05:13

Well it doesn't need gasket goo and on the cork gasket it tends to make it slippery and inclined to slip out when you tighten the cover. As I understand it the first EA sixes had no gaskets in the rocker cover and were meant to be leak free sans gasket but they soon found they leaked and had to introduce the cork gasket. However, as the cover wasn't designed for one there are no locating tabs or cutouts to hold it in place. This means that some gasket goos will act as a lubricant and encourage the gasket to slip out when it is torqued up. I use the neoprene ones myself but the harden with age and need to replaced every couple of years.