So I am wrapping up a new timing job on my 04 f150 5.4L 3V and I just installed the right side valve cover with a new gasket, and after I torqued it down to 89 in lbs there still seems to be a small gap where the gasket is. Is 89 in lbs not the correct torque spec or is it fine if there is a small gap? Just seems weird that there would be a gap.
Thanks

 

Send us a picture. There should be no gap.

 

This is the left side but the right side looks the same

 

Thank you for the photo.
We need others to chime in.
I am not familiar with the type of gasket shown in the photo. In my experience the gaskets are designed to allow the bolts to pass through a punched-out hole in the gasket, but I have never pulled the valve covers on a 5.4.
Others please chime in.

 

What brand of gasket did you use? I too, think the gasket normally has a "donut" for the bolt(s) to pass through.

 

Poke at it with a feeler gauge. If it goes through it's going to leak.

 

It looks like it is not properly seated in the groove of the cover, or possibly upside down. Silicone gaskets have a slight "V" shape to them and the thin side should be in the groove.

 

89in-lb sound right, most head covers are 75-125in-lb.

The 2004 5.4 head covers I've seen, the gaskets do not encircle the bolts. The bottom of the threaded shafts are not open to the inside of the heads, so there's no reason to seal them. I think the earlier years had sealed bolt holes.

It's not possible to install them upside down as they won't align with the seat. Also, the gasket is wavy on one side and nearly straight on the other. It would be apparent the gasket doesn't match up.

These type of Ford gaskets, the fat side goes into the groove, not the thin side.

There should be no gap... I'd pull both and check that the seal is completely seated into it's seat. If you didn't, you need to go over the full length of the gasket, about every 1/2 inch, and push it into the seat. If you've got any gasket sticking out too far, it can fold over between the head and cover, leaving a gap once torqued.

Added... did you install new grommets?

 

You will normally have gasket edges visable between two parts ... but that is not a gap.
Gaskets should not be squeezed out allowing metal to metal contact if that is what you expect.

O-rings fit into cast or machined grooves that control the squeeze when bolts are tight.

 

Pretty basic. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...r+gasket,10710