5.0L Valve Cover Gaskets

[koda2000]

I need to replace the valve cover gaskets on my daughter's 2000 Mountaineer 5.0L V8. I don't have a lot of time to spend on this job. I'm hoping someone here has done this job recently and can give me some tips so I can get this job done as quickly as possible without wasting time removing stuff unnecessarily.

Thanks.

 

[boominXplorer]

EGR tube will be the most fun. Everything else is cake.

 

[koda2000]

It looks it would be easier to remove the upper intake in order to get at the driver's side. Is that necessary?

 

[boominXplorer]

Yes. Pay attention and make sure you get the PCV valve back in tight. 1 vac port and booster in the back, 2 vac tubes in the front. 2 little coolant hoses also.

 

[Turdle]

if you can get the egr tube off the exhaust manifold, you have won the battle. Pull the upper plennum off as an assembly, leaving all the egr stuff in place. The electrical connectors are all "keyed" , and most vacuum lines will fall back into place, or close. Don't even mess with the pcv hoses on the upper, just unplug the pcv valve from the rear of the block and leave the vacuum lines as they are. Those fittings are very brittle. Just take your time and it will go fast-

There are 2 coolant lines going to the upper plennum also. You might be able to sit it aside leaving them connected, but if you don;t want to try that it is a good idea to remove some coolant from the radiator so it doesn't start pouring out on your work spot.

 

[koda2000]

There appear to be 6 bolts that hold the upper intake onto the lower, 2 on each end and 2 in the center. Some pictures I've seem show the 2 center ones staggered and some show them to be inline with the end bolts. Do you have to remove the 5.0L V8 name plate to access the two bolts in the center? Is the gasket between to upper/lower reusable?

If possible I'd prefer to to just move the upper manifold aside, but I'll have to see how it goes.

Changing the valve cover gaskets on my 80's Chevy small block is a lot easier... LOL.

 

[Turdle]

Yes, the plaque has to be removed to access the 2 center bolts. Push down on the center of the plaque, it might help to pop the little screws loose. Those plaques will sometimes have a slight upward bow that puts the screws in a bind.
The gasket could be reused if it comes off cleanly, but I think they are available for little $.

 

[koda2000]

Thanks guys. This will be next on my list of chores once I ID and correct the squeaky rear wheel bearing on the '00 XLT (which could also use valve cover gaskets and a pinion seal).

Any guess on about how long I can expect the valve cover gasket job to take (EGR tube not withstanding)?

 

[Turdle]

I'm going to say 4 hours, maybe less. It isn't that bad, just a lot of annoying things in the way.

 

[koda2000]

I'm going to say 4 hours, maybe less. It isn't that bad, just a lot of annoying things in the way.

I was think 3-4 hours would be likely. I can live with that. Thanks again.