Valve Cover Gasket - Single

Replace the valve cover gasket on one bank of the 302ci V8 to eliminate oil leaks from the valve train area.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve cover gasket (cork or rubber) × 1 — Use OEM specification or Fel-Pro VS 50014 R
• Valve cover grommets/seals × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (optional) × 1 — Permatex 81160 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated.
3. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental starter engagement.
4. Identify which valve cover is leaking (driver or passenger side) to determine work area.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove air cleaner and breather system
   Remove the air cleaner assembly by loosening the wing nut on top of the air cleaner lid over the carburetor. Disconnect the PCV valve hose from the valve cover by pulling it free from the grommet. Disconnect the breather hose from the opposite valve cover if it crosses over to the side being serviced. Set all components aside.
2. 2

   Disconnect spark plug wires
   Label or photograph spark plug wire positions for correct reinstallation. Disconnect all 4 spark plug wires from the valve cover side being serviced by pulling on the boot, not the wire. Route wires out of the work area.
3. 3

   Remove throttle linkage or accessories (if applicable)
   On passenger side: remove any throttle linkage brackets or AC compressor brackets attached to the valve cover. On driver side: remove any heat shields or dipstick tubes that interfere with valve cover removal. Keep all fasteners organized by location.
4. 4

   Remove valve cover bolts
   Remove the valve cover retaining bolts (verify exact count for this cover — early Ford 302 stamped-steel covers typically use 4 bolts) using a 3/8" drive socket. Work in a cross-pattern to prevent warping. Note the position of any special bolts with brackets or clips. Place bolts in a clean container.
5. 5

   Remove valve cover
   Carefully lift the valve cover straight up off the cylinder head. If stuck, gently tap the edges with a rubber mallet or carefully pry at a casting boss (not the sealing flange). Allow any residual oil on top of the head to drain into an oil pan. Inspect the cover for warping or damage.
6. 6

   Remove old gasket material
   Remove all old gasket material from both the valve cover sealing surface and the cylinder head sealing surface using a plastic or brass gasket scraper. Work carefully to avoid gouging the cast-iron cylinder head or stamped-steel valve cover sealing surfaces. Remove all rubber or cork residue. Clean both surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner and wipe dry with clean shop rags. Inspect for deep scratches or warping that could prevent sealing.
7. 7

   Clean valve cover bolt holes and grommets
   Remove the old rubber grommets/seals from the valve cover bolt holes. Clean the bolt holes with brake cleaner. Inspect the valve cover bolt threads and replace any damaged bolts. Install new grommets into the valve cover bolt holes, ensuring they seat fully.
8. 8

   Install new gasket
   Position the new valve cover gasket on the valve cover sealing flange. For cork gaskets, apply a thin bead of RTV silicone at the cylinder head-to-intake manifold junction at the front and rear corners of the gasket (approximately 1 inch on each side of the corner). For molded rubber gaskets, ensure all locating tabs engage properly. Allow RTV to become tacky if used (approximately 5 minutes).
9. 9

   Install valve cover
   Carefully position the valve cover with gasket onto the cylinder head, aligning all bolt holes. Ensure the gasket stays in position and does not shift. Hand-thread all valve cover bolts with grommets to prevent cross-threading (verify exact count for this cover).
10. 10

    Torque valve cover bolts
    Tighten valve cover bolts in a cross-pattern sequence (front-to-rear alternating sides) to the specified torque of 7 ft-lb (9.5 Nm). Start at the center bolts and work outward. Make two complete passes: first to approximately 4 ft-lb, then final pass to 7 ft-lb. Do not over-tighten as this will compress the gasket excessively and may warp the cover. Verified detail (Ford spec for the 302 stamped-steel valve cover is typically 3-5 ft-lb (roughly 40-60 in-lb), not 7 ft-lb. Over-torquing a cork/steel cover to 7 ft-lb risks crushing the gasket and distorting the flange. Verify against factory spec.): Tighten valve cover bolts in a cross-pattern sequence (front-to-rear alternating sides) to the specified torque of approximately 3-5 ft-lb (40-60 in-lb) — verify against factory spec. Start at the center bolts and work outward. Make two complete passes: first snug, then final pass to spec.
    Torque spec

    Valve Cover Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall accessories and linkage
    Reinstall any throttle linkage brackets, AC brackets, dipstick tubes, or heat shields removed in step 3. Torque mounting bolts to manufacturer specifications for those components.
12. 12

    Reconnect spark plug wires
    Reconnect all 4 spark plug wires to their correct spark plugs using the labels or photos from step 2. Ensure each wire boot seats fully onto the spark plug terminal with an audible click. Route wires properly in any clips or looms.
13. 13

    Reconnect breather system and air cleaner
    Reconnect the PCV valve hose to the valve cover grommet, ensuring it seats fully. Reconnect any breather hoses. Reinstall the air cleaner assembly and secure with the wing nut. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

Reassembly

1. If RTV silicone was used, allow 30 minutes cure time before starting the engine to prevent gasket movement.
2. Top off engine oil if needed after checking dipstick level.

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to idle for 5 minutes while observing the valve cover sealing area for any oil leaks.
• Rev the engine to 2000 RPM briefly and recheck for leaks under increased crankcase pressure.
• After 50 miles of driving, recheck valve cover bolt torque and verify no leaks have developed.

More procedures for this vehicle