Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

Fig. 2 Cylinder head bolt tightening sequence:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove glove box assembly, if necessary, then the engine cover.
3. Remove air cleaner assembly, then disconnect spark plug wires from valve cover.
4. Remove PCV hose and EGR valve.
5. Remove engine oil filler tube, then disconnect vacuum pipe rail from intake manifold and thermostat housing.
6. Remove valve cover attaching bolts and the valve cover.
7. Drain cooling system and remove necessary hoses.
8. Disconnect front coolant hose from intake manifold.
9. Remove alternator bracket from intake manifold.
10. Remove rear alternator bracket and position alternator aside.
11. On models equipped with A/C, unfasten A/C compressor and position aside, leaving refrigerant lines attached.
12. On all models, remove thermostat outlet from cylinder head.
13. Disconnect remaining vacuum, fuel and electrical lines necessary for cylinder head removal.
14. Remove ignition coil, then disconnect wires from spark plugs.
15. Raise and support vehicle.
16. Disconnect exhaust pipe from exhaust manifold.
17. Disconnect electrical connector from oxygen sensor, then lower vehicle.
18. Remove pushrods, then the cylinder head attaching bolts.
19. Remove cylinder head with intake and exhaust manifolds as an assembly.
20. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Ensure cylinder head attaching bolts are clean and dry, then apply suitable sealer to threads of bolts 9 and 10, Fig. 2.
b. Apply engine oil to undersides of remaining bolts, then install bolts and torque to 18 ft. lbs. in sequence shown in Fig. 2.
c. Repeat sequence torquing all bolts except No. 9 to 22 ft. lbs. Torque bolt No. 9 to 30 ft. lbs.
d. Repeat sequence, tightening all bolts except No. 9 120° (2 flats). Tighten bolt No. 9 90° (1/4 turn).