valve cover installation

Hey guys I have changed many fox valve covers however never the S197. Can someone tell me how hard they are to change. I was quoted 270 to install them and thought that was a little high. What do you all recommend.

I took mine off, painted and installed without issues. Its not hard, driver side was the hardest. I also took the battery tray out to make the passenger side easier. One huge thing, take an air compressor and blow all the dirt from around the valve covers!!!!

S197's and the older new edge 2 valves are both pretty cake to do. The 4v engines in the new edges, (ie Cobras and Mach 1's) are the nightmare covers to get to... Should be fine if you've done it in a fox before. Like was already said, just clean off around them real good first.

I am actually installing a new set of Ford Chrome valve covers with new gaskets. I will make sure that I clean the edges prior to installing. They do not have silicone or paper gaskets correct. It looks like they are a rubber type that just squeezes into a groove. Am I correct to assume this. I will install them right after I get it back from my long tube headers being installed. Thanks

svtwin73 wrote:One huge thing, take an air compressor and blow all the dirt from around the valve covers!!!!

BJ's car have dirt around the valve covers???

My 2v was just the rubber gasket type, and a couple 05/06's that I've worked on were also... didn't use silicone when we put em back together.

Thanks John but yes found some dust under the hood was disgusted. I think I will attempt this mid april then and save some dollars for more mods. Hey quick question what does cmcp plates actually do and where are they installed. Just wondering if I should do these when I have the long tube installed.

Alright guys I did the install of the new valve covers. I am a little worried as for I have never messed with Coil plug wires like these. Do you just push them in and screw them down and you are set. I am used to hearing a snap like the old ones. I did not hear this when I reinstalled these. Just want to make sure that I did it right. I also never used any silicone on the front two tabs that were applied from the factory. Is this going to matter, I cleaned the head off thoroughly and left the silicone in the small hole that the factory seamed to fill at the meet of the heads in the front. Thanks for any info.

They do not snap as they just have a connector spring inside of the boot.

You seat them by pressing them down into the plug hole, and then bolt them down.

Yes you put a dab of black silicone where the front cover meats the head. on top and bottom.

TT_05_Stang wrote:
Yes you put a dab of black silicone where the front cover meats the head. on top and bottom.

Did Ed steal Will's login?

I never put any there should I take them off and do it? That will be alot of work if so. I never took out the silicone in the whole of the head just made it smooth across.

pikuoff wrote:

TT_05_Stang wrote:
Yes you put a dab of black silicone where the front cover meats the head. on top and bottom.

Did Ed steal Will's login?

Damn WTF... gotta lay off the weed in the morning... J/K

Actually need to wake up a little more before I try and post...

Droptop306 wrote:I never put any there should I take them off and do it? That will be alot of work if so. I never took out the silicone in the whole of the head just made it smooth across.

In red circle is where the dab of silicone goes. Its just where the front cover meets the front of the head. There is a gap there, that "CAN" leak, but most of the time wont.

I would just monitor it for a while and make sure you dont have any seepage...

Ok thanks alot.

Next time I see under the hood, I'll need to make sure to put on my sunglasses!

BJ, the cmdp just eliminate the butterfly valves in the intake runners and allow for smoother airflow to the heads. I've heard/read they're only beneficial in the upper RPM range (10 hp or less) and a waste of time/money if not racing the car or want every bit of power you can squeeze from the motor.

I was planning on cleaning and painting my covers myself. If it turns out poor then I'll buy pre-painted ones.
I just saw this thread but have a nice steip-by-step from another site saved. Sorry I didn't see this earlier

Not hard at all. I was surprised when I did the install. Thanks alot for all the information. I may take the stock set and have them painted and air brushed. Me and the wife have spoken about it but not made our minds up yet.