Yesterday, at 78k miles, i realized it was time for the VCG change.. I had a buddy of mine help me with it. He's experienced with Mustangs, but was willing to tool around on ol Cooper. I think the first mistake was when he attempted to remove the valve cover w/o removing the intercooler. 45 minutes pass by, and we finally decide its time to take it off... While removing it, he dropped a socket into the engine bay and of course Cooper swallowed it. So twenty minutes later we found it in the bumper. Ok so when he finally removed the valve cover, he was amazed at the condition of the cam and the chain, and they sat there gawking for a minute (They arent familiar with MINIs).. Fast forward to putiing everything back together, he dropped a bolt... As it was getting dark... Not good.. It took almost two hours to find that and get the bracket that was apparently chilling down there.. Well when it was all said and dont, he told me that he actually almost got one himself but was soooo glad he didnt (Mustang owner) and that he loves these cars but he will NEVER touch another MINI lol Good Times

 

The same can be said for a 3.8 or 4.6 liter Mustang engines, a pain to work on!

 

Is it harder to remove one valve cover or two? I suppose with an intercooler in the way it's like removing two. I've had my intercooler off so many times I could do it blindfolded.

One of the first tools I bought when after buying this car was a telescopic magnet.

 

The Ford 3.8L V6 engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets. Huge problem for the 90's Mustangs and Cougars. I bought a '95 Mustang (dirt cheap) for my wife that had a blown head gasket, didn't cost a lot to redo myself, but is a lot more effort than SBC's. The recommended head bolt torquing procedure is crazy.