BBK Valve Cover Gasket

Hotrodvdog · February 20th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Is it supposed to be installed on the head or the valve cover itself?

punkafi888 · February 21st, 2007, 01:04 PM

does not really matter as long as it is in there. personally i would put it on the cover that way it insures a seal

Timber · February 21st, 2007, 01:58 PM

Personally, I apply a bead of RTV silicone to the gasket and put it on the valve cover and let it set up. Later on, install the valve cover and gasket on the head. Next time you pull the valve cover off the gasket will come off with it. Most of the time it won't tear and you can reuse it.

Invictus · February 21st, 2007, 04:05 PM

one side is sticky.. look at the bolt pattern they are not the same. there is only one way the gasket can go on. put the sticky side on first and let it set.. do NOT RTV it at least on the sticky side, it will not bond to it and you'll be in leak heaven.

MySallyMI · February 21st, 2007, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by Invictus

one side is sticky.. look at the bolt pattern they are not the same. there is only one way the gasket can go on. put the sticky side on first and let it set.. do NOT RTV it at least on the sticky side, it will not bond to it and you'll be in leak heaven.

+1 except there is a small dab of rtv that i think is needed, where the head and timing cover meet up. I just got done installing mine. What pissed me off bout BBK was, they didnt send enough rubber grommets to replace the old ones.

Nemisus · December 23rd, 2007, 12:05 AM

i'm currently in the middle of installing these! Is there a trick to getting the driver side in place! I can not find enough room to slide the cover in!

Also, in regards to the gasket... the sticky side did no bond at all to the passenger side... what should I do? Since RTV sealer has been deemed bad!

Cheers

Nem

MustangMatt96GT · December 23rd, 2007, 11:55 AM

I heard the drivers side is tough to install, and that somebody has to pull on something to get it to slide in, but I dont know for sure.

gsjohnson · December 23rd, 2007, 12:23 PM

It does matter what side you place the gasket on & do not use RTV form-a-gasket for these valve covers. They are designed to be specifically spaced from the mating surface and they will eventually leak using RTV do to the supplied BBK bolts and torque accessibility. The gaskets must be attached to the cylinder head side, otherwise there is no way for the bolt spacer shims to sit in place without falling off. You will have to add 4 dabs (2 on each side)of silicone underneath the gasket(Cylinder head side) at the timing cover cylinder head seam for the valve cover surface. The drivers side installation is a bitch. You will have to go under the dash a losen completely the brake hydroboost unit. There is 3 bolts under the dash and one on the engine bay side. Don't remove it, just losen the nuts as much as possible so you can rock the booster. That will give you just enough clearance to slide the valve cover on. This is where you have to be careful not to knock one of the valve cover shim spacers out of position. It's a blind install, so be careful. Oh, you will also have to remove the clutch cable and the O2 harness bracket behind the cylinder head besides what the instructions tell you to remove. I took some pics during the install if you think that might help. Hope this helps.

Nemisus · December 23rd, 2007, 12:29 PM

anyone trie and raise that side of the engine... tilting it a bit for a better angle? Might be worth a shot!

I think the gaskets I got were shot from the box.... on one side stuck good enough to the head to stay in place... the passenger side didn't bond at all!

Anyone got any ideas on how to solve that issue? Since using gasket maker is out of the ?

Thanks

mjkids · December 23rd, 2007, 12:59 PM

we just installed them on my car, but we did new header and a k member. so my buddy has that tool to drop the engine down so we did it all at the sametime. so it wasn't that bad. but put it on the valve cover.

Nemisus · December 23rd, 2007, 03:24 PM

how far did you drop the ingine down? Is it easier pull the motor this way? I'm thinking that since I've got some header to do as well I might as well pull the motor... so far I've both covers in, but with the way the gasket are sitting I do not believe I'll ever get the bolts lined up with the compression spacers!

For looks these covers do not seem worth the trouble! However once all said and done I'm sure it will be worth the trouble!

gsjohnson · December 23rd, 2007, 09:29 PM

I had one gasket that didn't want to stick in some places as well. I wiped the head surface with laquer thinner to insure that there was no remaining oil residue causing them not to stick and that worked for me. There is also a 3m product that you can apply to the gaskets to get them restickyed (Is that a word?) again if necessary. Those gaskets have to be securely stuck to the head surface with the spacer shims perfectly aligned with the bolt holes. The last thing you want to do is have to remove one because you screwed up with the preperation. This is where you've got to do it right. I toyed with losening the motor mounts and moving the motor up and down at the time. I opted for the hydrobooster losening, but I wasn't installing headers at the same time either. I really like the look, but was it worth it? Borderline...Here's 3 pics. The first 2 are of the spacer shims inserted into the gasket prior to installing the valve covers. The last pic is of the final look. I opted for the titanium powder coated versions, rather than the polished(Chrome) or the silver powder coated. Hope this helps.

Nemisus · December 24th, 2007, 12:45 AM

I got the job done... although I am worried about the passenger side! Before reading any of this I had that side done and did what has said was the worst thing... used Gasket maker to get the gasket to stick! Ofcourse now its too late.... but it did keep me from doing it to both sides!

For the Drivers side I ended up removing the bottem two hydrolic lines... this allowed me to move the Booster assembly completely out of the way! Makes doing the Driver side really easy!

Anyhow... I started the car and let it run for awhile... haven't noticed any leaks... which I know is too soon to tell! And just for the record..... I used "Ultra Blue RTV gasket maker" on the passenger side! Sure wish I had done my research before starting this! I suppose if any leaks to start to appear on the RTV'd cover... its the easiest of the two to remove!

Anyhow... maybe I'll get luck and the cover wont leak?!?

Cheers

Nem

gsjohnson · December 24th, 2007, 02:05 AM

Well the good news is the pass side is the easiest of the two to replace.

Nemisus · December 24th, 2007, 08:47 AM

your confindent GSJONHSON that its going to leak?! Was hoping I might get lucky!

gsjohnson · December 24th, 2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Nemisus

your confindent GSJONHSON that its going to leak?! Was hoping I might get lucky!

You may get lucky, but with all of the complaints that I have heard that these valve covers always leak, I have found numerous inconsistencies with the installation process, including using RTV. Everyone seems to stray away from installing these things properly due to the difficulty factor. If done right, they do not leak!

mjkids · December 24th, 2007, 11:35 AM

good to here you got them in good job. i have no leaks in my, so i think you will be fine if you don't see any leaks now.

MustangMatt96GT · December 24th, 2007, 11:36 AM

I would like to see pics! Some with out some stupid round blower in there! LOL

gsjohnson · December 24th, 2007, 11:44 AM

I know you don't mean me...lol

Nemisus · December 24th, 2007, 04:55 PM

The lighting outside suck... but for now this will give you an idea

as long as I don't get any leaks I'll be happy!

Cheers

Nem

February 20th, 2007, 05:17 PM	#1
Hotrodvdog Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6	BBK Valve Cover Gasket Is it supposed to be installed on the head or the valve cover itself?

February 21st, 2007, 01:04 PM	#2
punkafi888 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 294	does not really matter as long as it is in there. personally i would put it on the cover that way it insures a seal __________________ http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4979/42wotv6ok4.jpg

February 21st, 2007, 01:58 PM	#3
Timber Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: No point mentioning those bats... Posts: 840	Personally, I apply a bead of RTV silicone to the gasket and put it on the valve cover and let it set up. Later on, install the valve cover and gasket on the head. Next time you pull the valve cover off the gasket will come off with it. Most of the time it won't tear and you can reuse it. __________________

December 23rd, 2007, 12:05 AM	#6
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	i'm currently in the middle of installing these! Is there a trick to getting the driver side in place! I can not find enough room to slide the cover in! Also, in regards to the gasket... the sticky side did no bond at all to the passenger side... what should I do? Since RTV sealer has been deemed bad! Cheers Nem __________________

December 23rd, 2007, 11:55 AM	#7
MustangMatt96GT All Throttle with a Bottle 1996 Mustang GT 12.91@105.29 @ 5800 FT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 7,306	I heard the drivers side is tough to install, and that somebody has to pull on something to get it to slide in, but I dont know for sure. __________________ We expect shit to break, look foward to realizing exactly when it is happening, and than obsess about dropping plenty of cash to rebuild stronger, so we can try to run it hard as hell and break again. We are sick individuals.

February 21st, 2007, 04:05 PM	#4
Invictus Hardcore Enthusiast 1999 Mustang Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,310	one side is sticky.. look at the bolt pattern they are not the same. there is only one way the gasket can go on. put the sticky side on first and let it set.. do NOT RTV it at least on the sticky side, it will not bond to it and you'll be in leak heaven.

December 23rd, 2007, 12:23 PM	#8
gsjohnson Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 681	It does matter what side you place the gasket on & do not use RTV form-a-gasket for these valve covers. They are designed to be specifically spaced from the mating surface and they will eventually leak using RTV do to the supplied BBK bolts and torque accessibility. The gaskets must be attached to the cylinder head side, otherwise there is no way for the bolt spacer shims to sit in place without falling off. You will have to add 4 dabs (2 on each side)of silicone underneath the gasket(Cylinder head side) at the timing cover cylinder head seam for the valve cover surface. The drivers side installation is a bitch. You will have to go under the dash a losen completely the brake hydroboost unit. There is 3 bolts under the dash and one on the engine bay side. Don't remove it, just losen the nuts as much as possible so you can rock the booster. That will give you just enough clearance to slide the valve cover on. This is where you have to be careful not to knock one of the valve cover shim spacers out of position. It's a blind install, so be careful. Oh, you will also have to remove the clutch cable and the O2 harness bracket behind the cylinder head besides what the instructions tell you to remove. I took some pics during the install if you think that might help. Hope this helps. __________________ 2004 Mustang GT The difference between a girlfriend and wife is about 50 pounds. Last edited by gsjohnson : December 23rd, 2007 at 12:27 PM.

December 23rd, 2007, 12:29 PM	#9
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	anyone trie and raise that side of the engine... tilting it a bit for a better angle? Might be worth a shot! I think the gaskets I got were shot from the box.... on one side stuck good enough to the head to stay in place... the passenger side didn't bond at all! Anyone got any ideas on how to solve that issue? Since using gasket maker is out of the ? Thanks __________________

December 23rd, 2007, 12:59 PM	#10
mjkids Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ct Posts: 710	we just installed them on my car, but we did new header and a k member. so my buddy has that tool to drop the engine down so we did it all at the sametime. so it wasn't that bad. but put it on the valve cover. __________________ 2000 ford mustang gt convertible 2004 ford lightning truck 2001 ford mustang/cobra 2008 ford f-350 4x4 truck

December 23rd, 2007, 03:24 PM	#11
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	how far did you drop the ingine down? Is it easier pull the motor this way? I'm thinking that since I've got some header to do as well I might as well pull the motor... so far I've both covers in, but with the way the gasket are sitting I do not believe I'll ever get the bolts lined up with the compression spacers! For looks these covers do not seem worth the trouble! However once all said and done I'm sure it will be worth the trouble! __________________

December 23rd, 2007, 09:29 PM	#12
gsjohnson Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 681	I had one gasket that didn't want to stick in some places as well. I wiped the head surface with laquer thinner to insure that there was no remaining oil residue causing them not to stick and that worked for me. There is also a 3m product that you can apply to the gaskets to get them restickyed (Is that a word?) again if necessary. Those gaskets have to be securely stuck to the head surface with the spacer shims perfectly aligned with the bolt holes. The last thing you want to do is have to remove one because you screwed up with the preperation. This is where you've got to do it right. I toyed with losening the motor mounts and moving the motor up and down at the time. I opted for the hydrobooster losening, but I wasn't installing headers at the same time either. I really like the look, but was it worth it? Borderline...Here's 3 pics. The first 2 are of the spacer shims inserted into the gasket prior to installing the valve covers. The last pic is of the final look. I opted for the titanium powder coated versions, rather than the polished(Chrome) or the silver powder coated. Hope this helps. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2004 Mustang GT The difference between a girlfriend and wife is about 50 pounds. Last edited by gsjohnson : December 23rd, 2007 at 09:31 PM.

December 24th, 2007, 12:45 AM	#13
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	I got the job done... although I am worried about the passenger side! Before reading any of this I had that side done and did what has said was the worst thing... used Gasket maker to get the gasket to stick! Ofcourse now its too late.... but it did keep me from doing it to both sides! For the Drivers side I ended up removing the bottem two hydrolic lines... this allowed me to move the Booster assembly completely out of the way! Makes doing the Driver side really easy! Anyhow... I started the car and let it run for awhile... haven't noticed any leaks... which I know is too soon to tell! And just for the record..... I used "Ultra Blue RTV gasket maker" on the passenger side! Sure wish I had done my research before starting this! I suppose if any leaks to start to appear on the RTV'd cover... its the easiest of the two to remove! Anyhow... maybe I'll get luck and the cover wont leak?!? Cheers Nem __________________ Last edited by Nemisus : December 24th, 2007 at 12:52 AM.

December 24th, 2007, 02:05 AM	#14
gsjohnson Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 681	Well the good news is the pass side is the easiest of the two to replace. __________________ 2004 Mustang GT The difference between a girlfriend and wife is about 50 pounds.

December 24th, 2007, 08:47 AM	#15
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	your confindent GSJONHSON that its going to leak?! Was hoping I might get lucky! __________________

December 24th, 2007, 11:35 AM	#17
mjkids Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ct Posts: 710	good to here you got them in good job. i have no leaks in my, so i think you will be fine if you don't see any leaks now. __________________ 2000 ford mustang gt convertible 2004 ford lightning truck 2001 ford mustang/cobra 2008 ford f-350 4x4 truck

Threads Similar to: BBK Valve Cover Gasket
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
changed valve cover gasket	caintcatchmyGT	96-98	1	November 4th, 2007 01:32 PM
timing cover gasket	cali 5.0	5.0 Mustangs	5	August 20th, 2007 08:42 PM
Timing cover gasket, need help fast	99v6stang	V6 Mustangs	1	August 6th, 2007 07:08 PM
valve cover gasket	terribleonexx88	5.0 Mustangs	5	July 25th, 2007 03:20 PM
Need instruction on gasket on the timing cover	OTreborO	General Tech	1	June 19th, 2006 02:01 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:24 AM.
Contact Us - Modded Mustangs - Top
Modded Mustangs is ©2005-2008, All Rights Reserved, And is Not Affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Forum is powered by vBulletin ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Ent. Ltd. & SEO by vBSEO 3.1.0 ©2007, Crawlability, Inc.

December 24th, 2007, 11:36 AM	#18
MustangMatt96GT All Throttle with a Bottle 1996 Mustang GT 12.91@105.29 @ 5800 FT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 7,306	I would like to see pics! Some with out some stupid round blower in there! LOL __________________ We expect shit to break, look foward to realizing exactly when it is happening, and than obsess about dropping plenty of cash to rebuild stronger, so we can try to run it hard as hell and break again. We are sick individuals.

December 24th, 2007, 11:44 AM	#19
gsjohnson Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 681	I know you don't mean me...lol __________________ 2004 Mustang GT The difference between a girlfriend and wife is about 50 pounds.

December 24th, 2007, 04:55 PM	#20
Nemisus Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 32	The lighting outside suck... but for now this will give you an idea as long as I don't get any leaks I'll be happy! Cheers Nem __________________

BBK Valve Cover Gasket

BBK Valve Cover Gasket

Re: BBK Valve cover gasket