Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

Cylinder head tightening sequence:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove engine cover.
3. Drain cooling system, then remove intake and exhaust manifolds. Refer to, Engine/Intake Manifold/Service and Repair Service and Repair
Refer to Exhaust System/Exhaust Manifold/Service and Repair also. Service and Repair
4. If removing right side cylinder head, proceed as follows:
a. Disconnect ground strap from rear of cylinder head.
b. Remove AIR pump bolt and spacer from cylinder head.
c. On models equipped with A/C, remove A/C compressor nut and stud from cylinder head.
d. Disconnect fuel pipe and plug wires, then remove wiring harness brackets from rear of cylinder head.
5. If removing left side cylinder head, proceed as follows:
a. Remove main accessory bracket nut and stud from cylinder head. Remaining studs and bolts may need to be loosened to move bracket forward to allow removal of cylinder head.
b. Disconnect coolant sensor electrical connector.
c. Remove cruise control transducer, if equipped, and spark plug wire brackets from rear of cylinder head.
6. Remove rocker arm cover, then the spark plugs and pushrods.
7. Remove cylinder head attaching bolts and the cylinder head.
8. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Thoroughly clean block and head mating surfaces.
b. Install new head gasket over block dowel pins with bead up. If using a steel gasket, apply a thin, even coat of sealer to both sides of gasket. If using a composition gasket, do not use any sealer.
c. Coat cylinder head bolt threads with a suitable sealing compound.
d. Torque each cylinder head bolt to 65 ft. lbs., a small amount at a time, using sequence shown in Fig. 9.