SHOP

How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

Created by Jude Horstman / 7 min read
Last Updated: 5/1/2024

Replacing the valve cover gaskets on a small block Ford is bound to happen at some point in the car's life. Follow along and we'll show you how to get it done!

Viewing this install and using the information shared is subject to the terms set forth here - View the LMR Install Instructions Disclaimer.

Replacing the valve cover gaskets on a Small Block Ford is bound to happen at some point in the car's life. Sometimes, this happens multiple times, depending on the quality of work and the quality of the gasket that was used in a previous repair.


We have an additional article on removing the upper intake manifold for 1986-1993 fuel-injected Fox Body Mustangs. For those that have a carbureted application, this is pretty straightforward since you'll have plenty of working room. Of course, depending on your setup, you may have to remove the air cleaner and the associated components.


Follow along as we show you how to install a new 5.0L/5.8L Small Block Ford valve cover gasket on your 1979-1998 Fox Body or SN95 Mustang.


Tools Needed

  • Socket Set
  • Ratchet Wrench or Power Tool
  • Torque Wrench
  • Flat Head Screw Driver
  • Straight Blade/Gasket Scraper
  • Scotch Brite
  • Microfiber Cloths and Rags
  • Cleaning Supplies

Need To Order Your 5.0L/5.8L Gaskets?


Installation Steps


  1. Before you begin disassembling, we recommend degreasing and pressure washing the engine bay. Be sure to hit the areas underneath the valve cover. This will decrease the time you spend installing the valve cover gaskets.

  2. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  3. To begin, disconnect the battery cable and remove the upper intake. You’ll then want to clean the lower intake with some brake clean and cover the ports with some tape.

  4. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  5. Working on the driver's side, disconnect the inlet air temp sensor, fuel injectors, oil pressure sensor, and the TFTI module. You’ll want to position them out of the way.

  6. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  7. Don't forget to remove the spark plug holders from the valve cover studs.

  8. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  9. Remove the coil cover.

  10. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  11. Disconnect the four plug wires in the ignition coil and then position these wires over the front of the engine.

  12. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  13. If it's still intact, remove the factory engine support bracket. It's held in place with (2) 9/16 nuts.

  14. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  15. Start the cleanup process by vacuuming the large chunks of crap near the valve cover. Depending on how dirty the area is will ultimately dictate how much cleaning you have to do. We had to do quite a bit which involved some degreaser, brake clean, a small brush, and several towels. Compressed air will also help dislodge some of the hard-to-reach crud.

  16. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  17. Locate the (6) valve cover retaining bolts, loosen and remove these bolts with a 7/16 socket.

  18. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  19. When all the fasteners have been removed, carefully dislodge the valve cover with a small pry tool. The valve cover can now be removed from the car.

  20. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  21. Use a sharp razor blade and a gasket scraper to remove the old gasket. We recommend covering the valve train with clean towels to ensure that none of the old gasket gets inside (Loosen the hold down nut on the dipstick bracket and position it out of the way for easier access).

  22. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  23. Whenever all the gasket material is removed, cut some scotch brite into small squares and thoroughly scuff the surface until it is nice and smooth. Wipe down the mating surface and clean the (6) bolt holes.

  24. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  25. Now that the cylinder head mating surface is ready, take this time to clean the valve cover and associated hardware thoroughly. Lay out and organize all the clean hardware. Ensure that the valve cover mating surface is clean as well as the new gasket.

  26. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  27. Position the new gasket over the valve cover in the correct orientation and insert one of the fasteners through the bolt hole in the valve cover.

  28. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  29. Position the valve cover in place and loosely install the fastener.

  30. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  31. Install the other five fasteners making sure they pass cleanly through the valve cover and gasket. Run all the fasteners down by hand and then torque them to 15 to 20 pound-feet, working from the inside out.

  32. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  33. Repeat these same steps for the other side. You'll find that the heater tube will prevent you from cleaning the lower intake manifold. Flush it the best you can with compressed air.

  34. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

    How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets

  35. Now that both valve covers are reinstalled, you can reinstall and reroute all the previously removed components. Reconnect the negative battery cable, start the car and take it for a little drive to get the engine to operate in temperature. You can then check for leaks. After that, you're good to go.

  36. How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets - How To Remove & Install 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L /5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets


Depending on the individual situation, we’ll be willing to bet that you'll probably spend more time removing components and cleaning than actually replacing the valve cover gaskets. But hey, on these older cars, that's just par for the course. To see more how-to and install videos for the Fox Body and SN95, be sure to head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe today!


As always, make sure to keep it here with the real Mustang Enthusiasts at LMR.com.


Sort By

How To Remove Fox Body Mustang Upper Intake Manifold | 86-93

Please note that this removal will vary a little from vehicle to vehicle due to the many different setups. The car in this article and video is equipped with a Vortec supercharger and a 93’ Cobra intake. Before you start your disassembly, we recommend having an extra upper intake gasket on hand just in c...


About the Video

How To Remove & Install Valve Cover Gaskets | (79-95) 5.0L /5.8L

Check out our YouTube channel for even more tech tips, installation videos, how-tos, and more. The best place to go for anything Mustang related!

Published on 2022-05-11
1979-95 Mustang 5.0L/5.8L Valve Cover Gaskets Removal and Install.

You can now confidently reinstall your valve cover gaskets to ensure leak-free performance for the ultimate peace of mind! The steps shown are applicable for 1994 -1995 pushrod v8 as well.


*Shop*
1979-93 Mustang Valve covers & Accessories:
https://lmr.com/products/79-93-Mustang-Valve-Covers

1979-95 Mustang SVE Rubber Valve Cover Gaskets:
https://lmr.com/item/LRS-6584L/1979-95-Mustang-50L-58L-Rubber-Valve-Cover-Gaskets

1979-95 Mustang 5.0/5.8 Rubber & Metal Valve Cover Gaskets:
https://lmr.com/item/LRS-50203/79-95-Valve-cover-gaskets-302-351-ford-mustang-lightning

*Watch More*

How To Remove Fox Body Mustang Intake Manifold (86-93):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnT1MtWOpHM

1986-93 Mustang SVE Polished Aluminum Valve Covers Review (5.0L):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w1f6l-e0vc

YouTube: https://latemodelres.to/youtube-subscribe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/latemodelresto
Instagram: http://instagram.com/latemodelresto
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latemodelresto
#LMR #FoxBody #50Resto

Use of this video is subject to the terms as set forth in our LMR Install Video Disclaimer | https://lmr.com/page/lmr-install-video-disclaimer
Thumbnail image of the author of this article, Jude Horstman.

About the Author

Jude is our Social Media Specialist and has written for Late Model Restoration for 4 years. Jude has a deep passion for automotive culture, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Read more...