2003 Valve Cover Bolt Accessibility

[wiggy]

Replacing rh valve cover gasket. Having trouble accessing bolt #12 of cover at bottom by firewall. Have tried multible extentions,swivels etc and cannot get a bite on it. Anyone who's done this have any ideas? Many thanks

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[biddle]

All the tools needed are discussed in the COPS thread including what to use to access that bolt.

Thread 'Top Issue- 02-05 Ford Thunderbird Ignition Coils COP' https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-05-ford-thunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/

Use a swivel- https://amzn.to/31eql34

Directions- Post in thread 'Top Issue- 02-05 Ford Thunderbird Ignition Coils COP' https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...hunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/post-35040

 

[wiggy]

All the tools needed are discussed in the COPS thread including what to use to access that bolt.

Thread 'Top Issue- 02-05 Ford Thunderbird Ignition Coils COP' https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-05-ford-thunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/

Use a swivel- https://amzn.to/31eql34

Directions- Post in thread 'Top Issue- 02-05 Ford Thunderbird Ignition Coils COP' https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...hunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/post-35040

Thanks for reply Biddle. I do have the required tools so as I've stepped back from it for awhile its time to go at it again as sometime that's all it takes. Does the valve cover gasket replacement seem to be the main answer to this cop issue. I've done the windshield gasket already. Thanks again.

 

[PLE999]

When replacing the coils, some of the threaded inserts stuck to the coil cover screws. Is there any way to put them back into the valve cover and male them stay? An adhesive? Should I replace the screws with stainless steel to prevent them corroding in place, again?

 

[hemiguy]

Hi.
looks like a brass knurled insert was pressed into the head. Carefully grab it with vice grips so as not to distort the insert and try to get the screw out. A little heat might help, but be careful not to melt anything! Clean the threads on both parts. Use locktite on the insert and press it back into the head. Put ant-seize on the screw when you put it back together. You could use stainless, but use anti-seize as well.
Good luck!

 

[Bigdog1949]

Thanks for reply Biddle. I do have the required tools so as I've stepped back from it for awhile its time to go at it again as sometime that's all it takes. Does the valve cover gasket replacement seem to be the main answer to this cop issue. I've done the windshield gasket already. Thanks again.

JB weld ,don’t over tighten !,I took mine off a long time ago ,haven’t replaced cops since (overheated coils ??)

 

[Brax]

When replacing the coils, some of the threaded inserts stuck to the coil cover screws. Is there any way to put them back into the valve cover and male them stay? An adhesive? Should I replace the screws with stainless steel to prevent them corroding in place, again?

View attachment 31056

Those appear to be ultraserts they are installed in the plastic valve covers using ultra sonic driver. Don’t use loctite ever on any type of plastic as it deteriorates plastics. Use high strength high temp epoxy for plastics like jb weld to retain them in the valve cover

 

[Kevin]

I'm changing the valve cover gaskets on my 2002. When I was taking the bolts out, they appeared to be captive in the covers. I now know that the ridge on the bolts were through the gaskets, holding them in place. I found this out when two bolts fell out - I still can't find one ... - my question is do I need to put the bolts through the gasket before putting the cover in place, or will it seal ok if I put the covers in place and then put the bolts in?