1992 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - The Lincoln Mark VII Club

Lincoln Mark VII 1986 -1987 Valve Cover Replacement 

Published by The Lincoln Mark VII Club 

Lincoln Mark VII 

1986 – 1992 

Valve Cover Gasket 

Replacement 

By Art Bailey 

At some point our engines begin to mark their territory. A common 

problem is our valve covers. The evidence of a leaking valve cove is a 

carbon build-up on the exhaust headers/manifold at the rear of the heads 

or oily spark plugs. 

Some models were not equipped with valve cover gaskets, but were 

sealed to the head with bead of silicone. Re-tightening the valve cover is 

futile and the only remedy is installing valve cover gaskets. On 1986- 

1992, 5.0L engines, it is necessary to remove the upper intake manifold to 

remove the valve covers. Following is an overview of the steps required 

to install valve cover gaskets. 

© The Lincoln Mark VII Club. All rights reserved. 1



Before starting any work, it is always advisable to disconnect the battery 

and release any pressure in the cooling system by loosening the radiator 

cap and re-tightening it. 

Remove the fresh air intake tube and the rubber distributor cover. 

Remove the four screws securing the trim plate from the top of the upper 

intake manifold, which cover the center two bolts. 

Before removal of the upper intake manifold, a number of connectors and 

hoses must be disconnected. 




The above illustration shows the disconnected components. The EGR 

plate coolant hoses contain coolant and must be plugged. The throttle, 

TV and cruise control cable bracket is secured to the throttle body with 

two bolts and can be removed as a unit. Carefully snap the cables off their 

ball studs on the throttle linkage using a twisting motion between the 

cable ends and the linkage with a large screwdriver. Pull the bracket 

assembly up and secure it out of the way with a wire or a zip-tie. 

Remove the PCV valve from its rubber bushing at the rear of the lower 

intake manifold and the vacuum hose running to the canister purge. You 

will find a slip fit connection near the distributor. Remove the three 

vacuum hoses from the rear of the upper intake manifold. (Two small, 

one large) 

The engine control plugs can be snapped out of the holder without 

having to disconnect them. 




Remove the six upper manifold bolts. 

Gently lift the upper manifold off of the lower intake manifold verifying 

that there is nothing further connected. 




Use caution when sitting the upper intake down as to not damage the 

mating surface. It is further advisable to cover the lower intake with a 

towel or cardboard to keep any debris from falling into the lower intake. 

I started by removing the passenger side valve cover by lifting the spark 

plug retainers off of the forward lower two stud/bolts and removing the 

six bolts securing the valve cover. A light tap with a soft faced hammer 

dislodges the valve cover and with some maneuvering, it can be removed 

from the engine compartment. 

Carefully remove the silicone residue from the head, taking care to not 

allow any pieces of silicone to fall into the head. 

Clean the mating surface of the head and wire brush any silicone from 

the threads of the bolts. 




Clean the valve cover mating surface and lay the valve cover on up side 

down. 

With the valve cover laying up side down, apply a light coating of 

silicone to the mating surface of the valve cover and place the new gasket 

onto the valve cover, placing a bolt in each hole to hold the gasket in 

place as it dries. The passenger side valve cover is more difficult than the 

driver side, so give the silicone extra drying time while periodically 

pressing the gasket to the valve cover. 




. 

There are many types and brands of gaskets. I chose to use Fel-Pro 

neoprene gaskets as I have had good luck with them for many years. 

After ample drying time, apply a light coating of silicone to the mating 

surface of the head and carefully manipulate the valve cover back onto 

the head. 

Note: Use extreme caution when reinstalling the valve cover as if you 

knock the gasket loose, and it is misaligned, it will not be evident until 

after you finish the installation and start the engine. You will then have 

to start ove r again. 




Reinstall six bolts and torque to 1-3 ft/lbs and again to 4-6 ft/lbs. 

Repeat the process on the other bank. 

Remove the towel/cardboard from the lower intake and carefully remove 

the gasket, making sure that no debris falls into any of the runners. Make 

sure there are no gouges or nicks on the mating surface of the lower 

intake manifold. Place a new gasket in place using no adhesives or 

sealers. 

At this point, the upper intake should be inspected for debris or damage 

to the mating surface. This is also a good time to replace all the vacuum 

hoses attached to the upper intake, as they are impossible to replace with 

the manifold installed. 




(Underside of upper intake manifold) 

Carefully arrange the harnesses and hoses on the engine so they will not 

become lodged between the upper manifold and valve covers or lower 

manifold components. 

Carefully place the upper manifold onto the lower manifold and verify 

that the gasket is in the proper location. Install the upper manifold to 

lower manifold bolts and gradually torque them to 12-18 ft/lbs. 

Re-install all connectors, hoses, brackets and cables. Re install the cover 

trim plate. Verify that the throttle linkage is secure and returns to idle. 

Top off coolant, if any was lost. Connect battery and start engine, 

checking for any leaks. 




Replace the fresh air intake tube and distributor cover, if equipped. 

Change the oil and filter.

1992 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - The Lincoln Mark VII Club

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?