Rocker cover gaskets
Discussion
Many years ago when I worked at a Ford Main dealer it was practice to change rocker cover gaskets every time rocker cover(s) came off, so basically every service when valve clearances were checked.
there were inevitably one or two less scruplulous mechanics who would just change the gasket to make it look as if tappets had been done, there again the average "rep" probably never even opened the bonnet between services to see a new gasket, filter or anything else!
When it is your own hard earnt money it is quite possible to get away with re-fitting them a few times, particularly if you have genuine Ford/Motorcraft gaskets because they have little alluminium inserts to help prevent over-tightening.
there were inevitably one or two less scruplulous mechanics who would just change the gasket to make it look as if tappets had been done, there again the average "rep" probably never even opened the bonnet between services to see a new gasket, filter or anything else!
When it is your own hard earnt money it is quite possible to get away with re-fitting them a few times, particularly if you have genuine Ford/Motorcraft gaskets because they have little alluminium inserts to help prevent over-tightening.
Maffe said:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Standard answer
Exactly.Standard answer
Mine has hydraulic tappets, so there's no regular valve adjustment. I bought two OE gaskets years ago (I moved house 4 years ago and it was long before that) and have never used them - they don't leak so they get left alone.
markbigears said:
What sort if job is it to fit both sides on the DIY scale?
left hand one is easy - remove the oil cap, shift a couple of hoses out of the way, unbolt and remove. The cover might need a thump with a lump of wood to break the seal, but that's it. Don't drop any bolts or the "spreaders" under the bolts, into the engine, obviously.the right hand one is more awkward - you have to take the alternator off first - it's not hard, but fiddly. I would take the whole alternator and bracket off as one - two 13mm bolts in front, one 17mm bolt (I think) at the back.
When you replace the covers, you don't tighten them up much at all - just enough to nip it all together. Any torque will squash a non-OE gasket out between the two faces. As said above, the OE gaskets have tiny spacers to prevent this, but even then, don't over-tighten.
phillpot said:
Don't forget to disconnect the battery, that big cable going to the alternator is permament live = plenty sparks if it touches anything!
I started to write a "step-by-step" starting with "pull the lever and open the bonnet", but decided not to patronise, but to assume some level of proficiency.phillpot said:
Never assume anything 
Op may have assumed all electrics "dead" when ignition is off ?
I'll start the next one with "get your mummy to take you to the shops to buy some spanners, rubber gloves and some wrap-round Oakleys that look like trendy safety specs".Op may have assumed all electrics "dead" when ignition is off ?
And "remember to open the garage door high enough so that you don't bump your head walking in".
tvrgit said:
I'll start the next one with "get your mummy to take you to the shops to buy some spanners, rubber gloves and some wrap-round Oakleys that look like trendy safety specs".
And "remember to open the garage door high enough so that you don't bump your head walking in".
That reminds me of the time I was adjusting the headlamp alignment on my bike. Couldn't work out why the lamp was so dim (working in the dark garage with the door shut as it was a sunny day) - until I realised I was still wearing my sunglasses...And "remember to open the garage door high enough so that you don't bump your head walking in".
phillpot said:
I rest my case
Your point is fairly made and supported, sir. I would like to change my previous advice from "removing the rocker covers is a piece of piss" to "don't do it, it's fraught with danger. Apart from the possibility of electrocuting yourself, setting the car, garage, house, whole street and then whole town up in a blazing inferno, mangling your hands in the alternator blades, poisoning yourself by licking overspilt oil off the cylinder heads (and possibly electrocuting yourself again if the engine is running at the time), gassing yourself by running the engine in the garage to see if the gaskets have sealed, holding a spanner in your teeth and inadvertently swallowing it when you bang your head on the bonnet, slicing your fingers off with a gasket scraper - apart from all that, there's also the possibility that the new feckin gaskets won't give a better seal anyway. Don't do it. Not ever. Leave it to a specialist - it might seem expensive but have you seen how much an air ambulance costs? Working on cars is too feckin dangerous, don't try it at home children."
There, that should cover it.
tvrgit, preparing to change a headlamp trim, yesterday:
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