Valve Cover Gaskets and Wheel Bearings

[Funmart6]

Still sorting out this car. As most of you know it sat for 8 to 9 years so I know getting the car 100% back to "normal" is a process and won't happen overnight, but the list is getting shorter. Front wheel bearings are on the short list as well as valve cover gaskets. The wheel bearings don't seem to be all that difficult to locate, but valve cover gaskets and spark plug well gaskets are a different story. Does anyone have a good source for these items?

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[SHOdded]

shosource.com would be my 1st go to.
https://shosource.com/products?olsPage=t/1996-99-sho-parts

IDK how current these inventory listings below are, but worth a try

https://k-mansparts.com/ford-taurus-sho-valve-cover-gasket-pair-1996-1999-34-v8-detail.htm
https://k-mansparts.com/ford-taurus-sho-plug-well-set-1996-34-v8-fmc34pws-detail.htm

 

[luigisho]

F6DZ-6584-BA-right gasket
F6DZ-6584-CA-left gasket
F6DZ-6F048-AA-plug wells
I think there might be a small one in the middle of each valve cover. Maybe a small seal is in the middle where a bolt goes too? It's been a long time so I forget
https://www.v8sho.com/SHO/valvecovers.html

 

[gamefanatic]

Plug well seals:
https://shosource.com/products?olsPage=products/34l-v8-sho-spark-plug-well-seals-set-8

 

[Funmart6]

Thanks for all the links guys, I really appreciate it.

Has anyone ever changed a front wheel bearing before. I am assuming that the wheel bearing assembly is not SHO specific and that it is the same as in a standard Taurus. I have watched some videos about how to change one and it seems pretty straight forward, not too difficult. YouTube is a useful tool, Lol.

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[luigisho]

Very straight forward and easier than the earlier SHO press in bearings. If you've done suspension work in the front then this will not be that difficult. Just time consuming. The videos show it better than a write up. Go do it

 

[98SF19]

VCG: I think I grabbed a set from Summit a while ago before giving a shot to something I'd seen used to restore old gaskets - peppermint oil. Very strong odors, so do it where there's ventilation. Seemed to work ok, I just left them in there way too long, wound up breaking one, which I surgically mended with rtv upon reinstalling (seems to be holding after almost 2 years). Nimz has suggested soaking them in lacquer thinner and removing once you see them start to swell. They will become more fragile so might behoove you to have them on a frying rack or something similar so you can remove them from solution on flat surface. Once removed from solution, let them sit for a while to shrink down a bit before reinstalling. Should be a little more durable at this point, but you still want to baby them until they're seated.
I just did VCG on our Town and Country this weekend and though simpler than the SHO (which I've done twice now), it was way overdue and I just have to clean everything up when I have access to lower intake, wire harnesses, etc.

Wheel bearings:
I'd done my front end a couple years ago and described how I got leverage on the bolts holding bearing to the knuckle. I wasn't using air tools (which makes suspension work MUUUUCH easier), but wise words here:

The videos show it better than a write up

 

[Funmart6]

VCG: I think I grabbed a set from Summit a while ago before giving a shot to something I'd seen used to restore old gaskets - peppermint oil. Very strong odors, so do it where there's ventilation. Seemed to work ok, I just left them in there way too long, wound up breaking one, which I surgically mended with rtv upon reinstalling (seems to be holding after almost 2 years). Nimz has suggested soaking them in lacquer thinner and removing once you see them start to swell. They will become more fragile so might behoove you to have them on a frying rack or something similar so you can remove them from solution on flat surface. Once removed from solution, let them sit for a while to shrink down a bit before reinstalling. Should be a little more durable at this point, but you still want to baby them until they're seated.
I just did VCG on our Town and Country this weekend and though simpler than the SHO (which I've done twice now), it was way overdue and I just have to clean everything up when I have access to lower intake, wire harnesses, etc.

Wheel bearings:
I'd done my front end a couple years ago and described how I got leverage on the bolts holding bearing to the knuckle. I wasn't using air tools (which makes suspension work MUUUUCH easier), but wise words here:

Thanks for the replies, do you have a link to the video?
As and update: I've been on 3rd shift the past month so I haven't done anything else to the car, not driving it right now until I can get the time to change the wheel bearings. I do crank it up and let it warm up though, runs and sounds great!!!

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[Funmart6]

Ooops, misread the post, yes, I agree a video is much easier to follow than a write up.

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[98SF19]

FWIW, and if I understand the content you were after in video form, I think I just sat down with a large pry bar through the strut bore on one end, and restricted from movement against my waist/torso on the other end. This gives you the ability to crank on the bolts while holding knuckle assembly from moving (assuming your mid-section isn't TOO soft). LOL
I suppose with air tools you could do something similar, just stand over it with pry bar against your leg and go at the bolts from above.

 

[luigisho]

Hopefully not alot of corrosion

 

[98SF19]

Those 1A auto vids are great. I've learned the name Mike Green well! I feel bad that I've watched so many of them but not bought parts there. Might have to keep them in mind in the future. Prices probably can't beat RockAuto, but RockAuto doesn't have easy-to-access vids on YouTube (that I know of).

 

[leolove]

does anyone know of a good mechanic that will work on my 1999 sho in or near saginaw michigan mainly in the cheasning area.

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

Hi, Loelove,

There is now a very few mechanics that had worked on these cars. The best bet is to find a well experienced mechanic with like 30 years. Ford dealers aren't giving a lot of help. Some members here are mechanics. They could help you with specifics problems if needed (post a thread in that case).

Have a good day,