GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cylinder Head Replacement Left

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Drain the engine coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  4. Lower the vehicle.
  5. Remove the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  6. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  7. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Removal .
  8. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Removal .
  9. Remove the thermostat bypass pipe. Refer to Thermostat Bypass Pipes Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  10. Remove the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement .
  11. Remove the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  12. Remove the engine left side spark plug wires from the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  13. Remove the engine left side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  14. Remove the engine left side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Removal .

  15. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  16. Remove the cylinder head bolts.
  17. Remove the cylinder head.

  18. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  19. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
  20. Clean the following areas:
  21. • The gasket sealing surfaces on the cylinder head, cylinder block, and intake manifolds.
    • The cylinder block bolt threads.
    • The cylinder head bolts.
  22. Clean and inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter


    Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  1. Install the cylinder head gasket.

  2. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  3. Install the cylinder head.

  4. Object Number: 54295  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  5. Install the cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 50 N·m (37 lb ft). Turn the bolts an additional 90 degrees using the J 36660-A .

  7. Install the engine left side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Removal .
  8. Install the engine left side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  9. Install the engine left side spark plug wires to the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  10. Install the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  11. Install the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement .
  12. Remove the thermostat bypass pipe. Refer to Thermostat Bypass Pipes Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  13. Install the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Installation .
  14. Install the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Installation .
  15. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  16. Install the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  17. Fill the engine with new engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  18. Fill the cooling system with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.

Cylinder Head Replacement Right

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Drain the engine coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  4. Lower the vehicle.
  5. Remove the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  6. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  7. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Removal .
  8. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Removal .
  9. Remove the engine right side spark plug wires from the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  10. Remove the engine right side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Removal .

  11. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  12. Remove the cylinder head bolts.
  13. Remove the cylinder head.

  14. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  15. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
  16. Remove the engine right side spark plugs from the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  17. Clean the following areas:
  18. • The gasket sealing surfaces on the cylinder head, cylinder block, and intake manifolds.
    • The cylinder block bolt threads.
    • The cylinder head bolts.
  19. Clean and inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter


    Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  1. Install the cylinder head gasket.

  2. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  3. Install the cylinder head.

  4. Object Number: 54295  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  5. Install the cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 50 N·m (37 lb ft). Turn the bolts an additional 90 degrees using the J 36660-A .

  7. Install the engine right side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  8. Install the engine right side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Installation .
  9. Install the engine right side spark plug wires to the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  10. Install the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Installation .
  11. Install the pushrods and valve rocker arms. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Installation .
  12. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  13. Install the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  14. Fill the engine with new engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  15. Fill the cooling system with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.