Valve cover differences?

[jcmagone]

I read an old TSB that stated the 96's got upgraded valve covers with a new insulation. Do any of you know if there is much of difference or if they actually make a difference on sound. I love how my truck sounds until I have been riding in it on a road trip and can no longer hear my self think.

Thanks,

[marine5811]

I'm not sure if the vc's are different or not, but you'd probably be better off (financially, work-wise, and time-wise) just sound deadening the firewall. There have been a couple guys that have bed-lined their valve covers but the results haven't been overly convincing.

[jcmagone]

I just pulled the drivers side cover and noticed that it is no more than a piece of pressed sheet metal. I have had them off before but guess I never really looked at the valve covers that close. Supposedly the newer valve covers are dual layer and have insulation. Anyone know for sure? I am thinking I might change them out and still sound deaden the fire wall.

[JD3020]

I think the newer/updated one are just simple dual walled. I have a 97 VC hanging out in the garage somewhere with a nice hole in it from a GP, i'll have to check it out soon.

[jcmagone]

I helped my buddy change glow plugs last week and noticed that his valve covers seemed to have more weight to them than I had remembered mine having. That's what started this whole mess for me. His truck is a 97' so it will have the updated covers.

[jcmagone]

I just got done with installing the newer valve covers. Just by a quick look you would not see much of a difference. The only place I could see any difference was on the very edge of the covers. At the edge you can see two the pieces pressed together. They are definitely two layers and are heavier than my older covers. After I got them on and started it up I could immediately tell a difference. A lot of the noise I used to hear from the top end of the motor is now quieted up. Even the wife noticed a difference when we went for a ride.

[sgt dave]

Did you use super duty valve covers?

[jcmagone]

They are just the updated valve covers for 96’ and newer. Ford put out a TSB in 96 with the updates and dual layer valve covers was one of the changes to help make the Powerstroke a little quieter. If your truck is a 96’ then you should already have the updates. There was also some information on the TSB about updated water pump and HPOP.