Removal

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Raise the vehicle.
5. Remove the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold.
6. Lower the vehicle.





7. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods.





8. Remove the intake manifold.





9. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust System.
10. Remove the upper radiator hose.
11. Remove heater hose from the thermostat housing.
12. Remove the accessory drive belt.
13. Remove the generator. Refer to Starting and Charging.
14. Remove the air conditioning compressor. Refer to Heating and Air Conditioning.
15. Remove the power steering pump from the mounting bracket. Lay the power steering pump to the side.
16. Remove the engine cooling fan and pulley. Refer to Cooling System.
17. Remove the upper thermostat housing from the engine block.
18. Remove the mounting bracket for the A/C compressor and the power steering pump.
19. Remove the cylinder head bolts.





20. Remove the cylinder head and the gasket.

NOTE: Check all the sealing surfaces for warpage and cracks. Replace if necessary.

21. Clean the following areas:
^ Clean any carbon deposits from the combustion chambers.

CAUTION: Do not use abrasive pads to clean the cylinder head or block surfaces. An abrasive pad will damage the cylinder head and block surfaces. Abrasive pads also produce a fine grit that will contaminate the engine oil.

^ It is only necessary to remove the gasket material. Do not attempt to remove all marks from the cylinder head gasket surfaces.





^ Clean all traces of the old cylinder head gasket from the cylinder head and from the engine block.
^ Clean the cylinder head bolt threads.
^ Clean the threads that are in the engine block.
22. Inspect the engine block to cylinder head mating surface for the following conditions:
^ Nicks
^ Heavy scratches
^ Any other damage