Grommets

[OSHSHO]

Is there any source of the rubber grommets that seal the valve cover bolts...mine are very hard, and I suspect that they will soon start leaking.

Quick observation: After removal of my old plugs, I checked the gaps, .046-.078 ...I wonder why my car was running rough?(Previous owner must have been AFU!)

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

i remember seeing a post about those before, you should try a search for it. you might be able to grease them up for some peace of mind if you cant get them. or seat them in place with some RTV sealant and you should be ok. let us know what turns up.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The only source for the new rubber grommets under the valve cover bolts is to buy new bolts from ford (at some ridiculous price like $25/ea!). Some people have put in generic o-rings successfully to stop leaking. BUT, if you're not leaking, why fix something that ain't broke?

 

[OSHSHO]

Murphys (SHO?) Law...If I've identified something that apperears ready to fail and take no proactive action...it will fail shortly thereafter!

 

[rangerj]

OSHSHO,

Do a search. SDPATT has an excellent solution to the problem you describe. He applies "O" rings under the grommets. The sizes are listed in several of his prior threads. It works without the mess of RTV.

If you can find new bolts with the new grommets they list for $24.80 each (x 16). A set of "O" rings will set you back about a couple bucks! rangerj

 

[sdpatt]

The O-rings around the smaller diameter portion of the rubber bushing help to seal the outer surface, but there still has to be a seal for the inner surface. You can put a thin coating of RTV on the bolt shaft where the bushing contacts.

 

[stevetatro]

SHOZ123 has also done a detailed write-up on how to somewhat effectively "freshen" old, hard, rubber gasket/grommets.

I wouldn't try it with everything, but for the valve cover bolt grommets it's worth a shot.

Good luck.

<small>[ April 09, 2003, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: stevetatro ]</small>