Cylinder Head Replacement - Left

Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side

Tools Required

J 45059 Electronic Torque Angle Meter

Removal Procedure

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (L26) (Service and Repair).
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
3. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement (Service and Repair).
4. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling (L26, LY7 GE 47716 Fill) (Service and Repair)Cooling System Draining and Filling (L26 Static Fill) (Service and Repair).
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Remove the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement (Service and Repair).
7. Remove the ignition control module and the bracket from the left cylinder head. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement (Service and Repair).
8. Remove the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement - Right Side (L26) (Service and Repair).
9. Remove the left engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement - Left Side (Service and Repair).
10. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement (Service and Repair).
11. Remove the left spark plugs from the left cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement (Service and Repair).
12. Remove the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side (3.8L) (Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side (3.8L)).
13. Remove the left valve rocker arm cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side (Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side).
14. Remove the left rocker arms and the push rods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement (Service and Repair).




15. Remove the left cylinder head bolts. Discard the cylinder head bolts.
16. Remove the left cylinder head.




17. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
18. Remove the caps, the springs, the valves and the seals from the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble (Overhaul).
19. Clean the gasket mating surfaces on the cylinder head, the cylinder block and the intake manifold.
20. Clean the cylinder block bolt hole threads.
21. Inspect the engine block. Refer to Engine Block Cleaning and Inspection (Overhaul).
22. Inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection (Overhaul).

Installation Procedure

1. Install the valves, the seals, the springs and the caps to the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Assemble (Overhaul).

Notice: Head gaskets are not interchangeable. The head gasket must be installed with the arrow pointing to the front of the engine. Installing the head gasket in any other direction will cause gasket failure and possible engine failure.




2. Position the head gasket with the arrow pointing to the front of the engine.




3. Install the cylinder head.

Notice: This bolt is designed to permanently stretch when tightened, and therefore MUST be replaced anytime it is removed. The correct part number fastener must be used to replace this type of fastener. Do not use a bolt that is stronger in this application. If the correct bolt is not used, the parts will not be tightened correctly. The system or the components may be damaged.

Notice: This engine uses special torque to yield head bolts. This design bolt requires a special tightening procedure. Failure to follow the given procedure will cause head gasket failure and possible engine damage.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice).

4. Install the new cylinder head bolts (1-8).

1. Tighten the cylinder head bolts (1-8) in the following sequence to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).
2. Use the J 45059 to rotate the cylinder head bolts in the following sequence (1-8) an additional 120 degrees.

5. Install the left push rods and rocker arms. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement (Service and Repair).
6. Install the left valve rocker arm cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side (Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement - Left Side).
7. Install the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side (3.8L) (Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side (3.8L)).
8. Install the left spark plugs to the left cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement (Service and Repair).
9. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement (Service and Repair).
10. Install the left engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement - Left Side (Service and Repair).
11. Install the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement - Right Side (L26) (Service and Repair).
12. Install the ignition control module bracket and the ignition control module to the left cylinder head. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement (Service and Repair).
13. Install the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement (Service and Repair).
14. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling (L26, LY7 GE 47716 Fill) (Service and Repair)Cooling System Draining and Filling (L26 Static Fill) (Service and Repair).
15. Fill the crankcase with engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement (Service and Repair).
16. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (L26) (Service and Repair).
17. Inspect for leaks.