Hi I recently purchased a high mileage 2009 ford fusion SE 2.3L for cheap so I could fix up. It runs but I was doing a spark plug change and noticed oil in the spark plug holes. Found out that I most likely have to replace the valve cover gasket which isn’t a problem. But I tried to take the valve cover off and noticed that some of the bolt heads are stripped and I cannot get them off.

What are my options? I’m considering the following different things.

1. Getting a “bolt biter” bit or a bolt extractor bit to hopefully get it off. I would have to find a replacement screw. Can anyone help direct me to a replacement 8MM screw that would fit?

2. Angle grind the screws off and just replace the cover with a new one.

3. Just put it back together, change the spark plugs and leave it alone. And just drive it until it fails. I only paid $1000 for it anyways.