Filters
5 products
Not sure it fits your truck?
Our Wildwood, FL techs will confirm the right part for your build before you buy.
Call or Text (352) 722-5295Valve covers on the 1989-1993 RAM 5.9L Cummins
Most engines have one or two long valve covers. The first-gen 5.9L Cummins has six small ones, one over each cylinder. Each gets its own gasket, and the factory-style gasket is sold singly with six required. The covers come off every time you set valve lash, which on this solid-lifter engine is every 24,000 miles or 24 months, cold, at 0.010 in intake and 0.020 in exhaust. Valve cover bolts torque to 18 ft-lb.
What fails and why
The gaskets age out. They seep oil over time, and you will see an oil film on the head and on the exhaust manifold side, often with an oil smell. A documented 1993 D250 that reached 620,000 miles on its original long block got new Fel-Pro valve cover gaskets at every valve adjustment, and valve cover gaskets were one of only a handful of wear parts it ever needed, alongside the water pump, thermostat, alternator and belt tensioner. Treat the gaskets as part of the valve adjustment, not a separate job.
Stock replacement vs. upgrade
For most trucks, new OEM-grade gaskets on the factory covers are the whole job. Aftermarket covers are an option when a factory cover is damaged or you want a different finish. The BD Diesel Cool Cover comes as a single cover or a set, and G&R Diesel machines billet tappet covers, including a version with an oil separator. Either way, use new gaskets.
What we carry
MAHLE supplies the VS50215S valve cover gasket, listed 1989-1998, and the PS38801 tappet cover gasket set, listed 1989-2002. BD Diesel offers the 1061800 Cool Cover valve cover, single or set, for 1989-1998 Cummins engines. G&R Diesel makes the GRD59CM3001 billet tappet cover and the GRD59CM3002 billet tappet cover with oil separator, both listed 1989-2002.
Fitment notes
Count before you order. A full set is six valve cover gaskets, so check whether a listing is a single gasket or a set, and do the same with the BD covers. The valve cover gasket and BD covers are listed 1989-1998, the 12-valve years, and the tappet cover parts run 1989-2002. None of these listings split at the mid-1991 intercooler change. One hardware note: the XDP tappet cover bolt kit in the engine components collection is made for the OEM tappet cover, so check with us before pairing it with a billet cover.
Frequently asked questions
How many valve cover gaskets does a 12-valve Cummins need?
Six. Each cylinder has its own valve cover and its own gasket, and the factory-style gasket is sold one at a time. Check the listing to see whether you are getting one gasket or a full set before you check out.
Should I replace valve cover gaskets every time I adjust the valves?
That is standard practice on this engine. The covers come off every 24,000 miles or 24 months for lash, and the 620,000-mile survivor truck got new gaskets at every adjustment.
What torque do the valve cover bolts take?
18 ft-lb, the same figure as the valve lash locknuts underneath. Have all six new gaskets on hand before you pull the first cover.
Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.