The Mahle VS50329 is an OEM-grade valve cover gasket engineered for 1994–1997 OBS 7.3 Powerstroke diesel engines. Manufactured to rigorous factory equipment specifications by Mahle Original, this molded silicone gasket features high-strength composite pass-through bulkheads and dual 5-pin integrated electrical connectors per bank to route 115-volt DC injector pulse signals and 12-volt glow plug power directly through the cylinder head seal.

External engine oil leaks dripping onto hot exhaust manifolds, melted pass-through pins from electrical arcing, cylinder contribution misfire codes, dead injectors, and failed glow plugs causing hard cold starts with heavy white smoke are what this gasket cures. On early OBS 7.3 trucks, continuous exposure to hot engine oil vapor and severe engine vibrations degrades the internal and external electrical connector pins, causing high electrical resistance and burning the molded pass-through connections. Replacing a brittle or burnt factory gasket with Mahle Original silicone construction restores factory perimeter oil sealing and uninterrupted electrical conductivity to the valvetrain. It is sold as a single valve cover gasket with integrated dual 5-pin connectors; two gaskets are required to service an entire engine, and internal harnesses (UVCH), external pigtails, and valve cover bolts are sold separately.

It fits 1994–1997 7.3 Powerstroke OBS Ford trucks and E-Series vans equipped with dual 5-pin valve cover connectors per bank.

Fitment

• 1994–1997 Ford F-250 OBS 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1994–1997 Ford F-350 OBS 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1994–1997 Ford F-Super Duty OBS 7.3L Powerstroke
• 1994–1997 Ford E-Series Vans 7.3L Powerstroke
• Navistar T444E diesel engines (early dual-connector configuration)
• OEM-spec Mahle Original molded silicone perimeter gasket
• Integrated dual 5-pin electrical pass-through connectors per side
• Replaces Ford part number F4TZ-6584-A
• Direct fit for factory stamped steel valve covers
• Single valve cover gasket only (two required per engine)

Disconnect both negative battery cables and clean all dirt and road grit from around the perimeter of the valve cover before removal to keep foreign debris out of the exposed valvetrain. Thoroughly inspect the external 5-pin harness pigtails for heat discoloration or burnt female terminals; plugging damaged, melted connectors into a brand-new gasket will quickly ruin the new pass-through pins. Clean the cast iron cylinder head mating surface completely free of oil, dirt, and old sealant residue—install the silicone gasket completely dry without adding liquid RTV silicone. Align the gasket carefully over the cylinder head, set the valve cover in place, and torque the retaining bolts in a crisscross sequence to the factory specification of 96–100 in-lbs (approximately 8 ft-lbs) to avoid crushing the perimeter flange.