97 Mark viii valve cover gasket

[luccianoduckman]

Hi,
I'm a noobie to the Mark viii. Mine is leaking oil into the spark plugs...boots are soaked with oil. I guess I need a new valve cover gasket.
I've read here that the right side is easy, and left side is hard. I understand there are 2 options:

- remove the brake booster
OR
- remove engine mount and raise engine a couple inches

I understand that raising the engine might take less time. But since I haven't done this on a Mark viii before, what's the basic process?

Disconnect the engine mount, place the jack under the oil pan, and lift an inch or 2? I'm sure there's more to it than that.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ONLYTONY]

Your on the right path. Gen 2 rt side, pull throttle body, and upper intake (4 bolts). Jack up engine, 1"-2", and cover should come off. On left side, just unbolt master cylinder, and move out of the way ,leave brakelines connected, jack engine. good luck

 

[luccianoduckman]

is it possible to do without touching the master cylinder?

 

[Spree]

Is the oil in the plug holes giving you problems? If not just leave it alone.

 

[ford nut]

Do not use the oil pan as a point to jack up the engine.

 

[luccianoduckman]

soooooo, where do I place the jack to lift the engine?

The car is starting to misfire occasionally, which may or may not be caused by the oil in the plugs. But there is ALOT of oil in 5 out of the 8 plugs.

Thanks for the input!

 

[blackchariot88]

I just did my passenger side cover it's not bad just remove the intake tube, throttle body, and the most important part is to jack up the motor the oil pan is ok as long as you use a soft rubber block or a block of wood take out both lower motor mount bolts and slowly let down the motor then you should have the room you need to r and r the gasket any other questions just ask.

 

[luccianoduckman]

Perfect. Thanks!
So one last no brainer question: is it best to lower the engine, or raise it? As far as I can see the engine can be raised a good couple of inches.
Didn't really think about lowering it.

Sorry for the noobie questions. I haven't had this car very long. Thanks a lot for your input!

 

[luccianoduckman]

Is it basically the same process for the driver side? I'm hoping I can do this without touching the master cylinder.

 

[blackchariot88]

I just did my passenger side cover it's not bad just remove the intake tube, throttle body, and the most important part is to jack up the motor the oil pan is ok as long as you use a soft rubber block or a block of wood take out both lower motor mount bolts and slowly let down the motor then you should have the room you need to r and r the gasket any other questions just ask.

 

[blackchariot88]

Lower the engine when doing the repair it'll save alot of time instead of moving the brake booster.

 

[luccianoduckman]

excellent. Thank you. I'll give this a try and reply back.