GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

J 36660-A Electronic Torque Angle Meter

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Drain the cooling. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  3. Remove the engine cooling fan assembly. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement .
  4. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .

  5. Object Number: 340090  Size: SH
  6. Loosen the nut holding the power steering pump rear bracket to the side of the engine.
  7. Remove the nut holding the power steering pump rear bracket to the front of the engine
  8. Remove the three bolts and the nut holding the power steering pump mounting bracket to the engine.
  9. With the power steering pump and the A/C compressor still attached, slide the power steering pump mount bracket off of the stud and set aside.

  10. Object Number: 475833  Size: SH
  11. Remove the power steering pump mounting bracket stud from the cylinder head.
  12. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
  13. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side .

  14. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH
  15. Remove the spark plug wire harness and the spark plug wire support.
  16. Remove the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  17. Object Number: 555709  Size: SH
  18. Remove the ground wire bolt and the ground wire from the rear of the cylinder head.
  19. Secure the ground wire out of the way.
  20. Remove the bolt holding the fuel pipe bracket to the rear of the cylinder head.

  21. Object Number: 387769  Size: SH
  22. Remove the engine coolant temperature sensor (if applicable).

  23. Object Number: 387767  Size: SH
  24. Remove the engine coolant temperature gage sensor (if applicable).
  25. Remove the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Controls - 4.3L.

  26. Object Number: 480533  Size: SH
  27. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.

  28. Object Number: 480536  Size: SH

    Notice: After removal, place the cylinder head on 2 wood blocks in order to prevent damage to the sealing surfaces.

  29. Remove the cylinder head.

  30. Object Number: 334299  Size: SH
  31. Remove and discard the cylinder head gasket.

  32. Object Number: 330548  Size: SH
  33. Remove the dowel pins (cylinder head locator) (if required).
  34. Clean the engine block and the cylinder head sealing surfaces.
  35. Notice: Clean all dirt, debris, and coolant from the engine block cylinder head bolt holes. Failure to remove all foreign material may result in damaged threads, improperly tightened fasteners or damage to components.

  36. Clean the cylinder head bolts and the engine block bolt holes.
  37. For further service to the cylinder head refer to the following:
  38. • Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble in Engine Mechanical Unit Repair - 4.3L.
    • Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical Unit Repair - 4.3L.
    • Refer to Valve Guide Reaming, and Valve and Seat Grinding in Engine Mechanical Unit Repair - 4.3L.
    • Refer to Cylinder Head Assemble in Engine Mechanical Unit Repair - 4.3L.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 334303  Size: SH
  1. Clean the cylinder head gasket surfaces on the engine block.
  2. Inspect the dowel pins (cylinder head locator) for proper installation.
  3. Clean the cylinder head gasket surfaces on the cylinder head.

  4. Object Number: 334299  Size: SH

    Important: Do not use any type sealer on the cylinder head gasket (unless specified).

  5. Install the NEW cylinder head gasket in position over the dowel pins (cylinder head locator).

  6. Object Number: 480536  Size: SH
  7. Install the cylinder head onto the engine block.
  8. Guide the cylinder head carefully into place over the dowel pins and the cylinder head gasket.


    Object Number: 480533  Size: SH
  9. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent to the threads of the NEW cylinder head bolts.
  10. Install the cylinder head bolts finger tight.
  11. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 5132  Size: SH
  12. Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence on the first pass.
  13. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts in sequence on the first pass to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  14. Use the J 36660-A in order to tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence.
  15. Tighten

        • Rotate the long bolts (1, 4, 5, 8, and 9) an additional 75 degrees.
        • Rotate the medium bolts (12 and 13) an additional 65 degrees.
        • Rotate the short bolts (2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11) an additional 55 degrees.
  16. Install the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement for the 4.3L engine.

  17. Object Number: 387767  Size: SH
  18. If reusing the engine coolant temperature gage sensor (if applicable), apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent to the threads of the engine coolant temperature gage sensor.
  19. Install the engine coolant temperature gage sensor (if applicable).
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the engine coolant temperature gage sensor to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 387769  Size: SH
  21. If reusing the engine coolant temperature sensor (if applicable), apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent to the threads of the engine coolant temperature gage sensor.
  22. Install the engine coolant temperature sensor (if applicable).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the engine coolant temperature sensor to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  24. Install the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  25. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
  26. Install the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side in Engine Exhaust.

  27. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH
  28. Install the spark plug wire harness and spark plug wire support.
  29. Tighten
    Tighten the support bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).


    Object Number: 555709  Size: SH
  30. Install the bolt for and the fuel pipe bracket to the rear of the cylinder head.
  31. Tighten
    Tighten the fuel pipe bracket bolt to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  32. Install the ground wire and the ground wire bolt to the rear of the cylinder head.
  33. Tighten
    Tighten the ground wire bolt to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).


    Object Number: 475833  Size: SH
  34. Install the stud for the power steering pump mounting bracket to the cylinder head.
  35. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering pump mounting bracket stud to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 340090  Size: SH
  36. Slide the power steering pump mounting bracket with the power steering pump and the A/C compressor on the stud.
  37. Position the power steering pump rear bracket on the studs.
  38. Install the power steering pump mounting bracket three bolts and the nut.
  39. Install the nut for the power steering pump rear bracket to the front of the engine.
  40. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering pump mounting bracket and the power steering pump rear bracket bolts and the nuts to 41 N·m (30 lb ft).

  41. Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  42. Install the engine cooling fan assembly. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement .
  43. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  44. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.