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For 1990-2009 cars only

Cylinder Head Replacement Left Side

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle.
  2. Suitably support the vehicle. Refer to General Vehicle Lifting and Jacking in General Information.
  3. Drain the coolant. Refer to Draining and Refilling Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
  4. Remove the warm up three-way catalytic converter and the gasket from the exhaust manifold. Refer to Warmup Three Way Catalytic Converter in Exhaust System.
  5. Lower the vehicle.
  6. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  7. Remove the secondary air injection hose from the check valve.
  8. Remove the coolant air bleed pipe bolt from the left cylinder head using a backup wrench on the pipe fitting.
  9. Remove the ignition coil bolts and the coil. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Control Module in Ignition System.
  10. Remove the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  11. Remove the spark plug wire harness from the clips.
  12. Remove the spark plug wire harness from the spark plugs.
  13. Remove the spark plugs.
  14. Remove the coolant temperature sensor electrical connector.
  15. Remove the valve rocker arm cover bolts and the cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
  16. Remove the valve rocker arm nuts, rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  17. Object Number: 11482  Size: SH
  18. Remove the cylinder head bolts.
  19. Remove the cylinder head.
  20. Remove the cylinder head gasket. Discard the cylinder head gasket.

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter


    Object Number: 11482  Size: SH
  1. Install the new cylinder head gasket. Ensure that the yellow tab is facing up.
  2. Install the cylinder head over the locator pins and the cylinder head gasket.
  3. Coat the threads of the cylinder head bolts with the sealing compound, GM P/N 12346004 or the equivalent.

  4. Object Number: 11523  Size: SH
  5. Install the cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence on the first pass to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

    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.

  7. Use the J 36660-A in order to tighten the cylinder head bolts on the second pass.
  8. Tighten

        • Tighten the short bolts (3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16) 55 degrees.
        • Tighten the medium bolts (14, 17) 65 degrees.
        • Tighten the long bolts (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13) 75 degrees.
  9. Install the valve rocker arms and the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  10. Install the left valve rocker arm cover and the bolts. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the valve rocker arm cover bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).

  12. Install the coolant temperature sensor electrical connector.
  13. Install the spark plugs.
  14. Tighten

        • Tighten the spark plugs to 30 N·m (22 lb ft) if a new cylinder head was installed.
        • Tighten the spark plugs to 20 N·m (15 lb ft) if a used cylinder head was installed.
  15. Install the spark plug wire harness to the spark plugs.
  16. Install the spark plug wire harness to the clips.
  17. Install the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  18. Install the ignition coil bolts and the coil. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Control Module in Ignition System.
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the ignition coil studs to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

  20. Install the engine coolant air bleed pipe and the bolt to the left cylinder head using a backup wrench on the pipe fitting.
  21. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).


    Object Number: 39108  Size: SH
  22. Install the secondary air injection hose to the check valve.
  23. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  24. Raise the vehicle.
  25. Suitably support the vehicle. Refer to General Vehicle Lifting and Jacking in General Information.
  26. Install the warm up three-way catalytic converter and the gasket to the exhaust manifold. Refer to Warmup Three Way Catalytic Converter in Exhaust System.
  27. Lower the vehicle.
  28. Refill with coolant. Bleed the system. Refer to Draining and Refilling Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.

Cylinder Head Replacement Right Side

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle.
  2. Suitably support the vehicle. Refer to General Vehicle Lifting and Jacking in General Information.
  3. Drain the coolant. Refer to Draining and Refilling Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
  4. Remove the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  5. Remove the accessory drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
  6. Remove the fluid level indicator tube bracket from the transmission housing and the rear of the right cylinder head.
  7. Remove the air conditioning compressor rear brace bolt from the engine block.
  8. Remove the air conditioning compressor electrical connector.
  9. Remove the air conditioning compressor front mounting bolts and lay the air conditioning compressor aside.
  10. Remove the warm up three-way catalytic converter and gasket from the exhaust manifold. Refer to Warmup Three Way Catalytic Converter in Exhaust System.
  11. Lower the vehicle.
  12. Remove the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  13. Remove the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement in Charging System.

  14. Object Number: 39119  Size: SH
  15. Remove the right valve rocker arm cover.
  16. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  17. Remove the coolant air bleed pipe bolt from both of the cylinder heads using a backup wrench on the pipe fitting.
  18. Remove the radiator outlet hose from the water pump and reposition.
  19. Remove the heater hoses from the water pump and reposition.
  20. Remove the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump in Power Steering Gear and Pump.
  21. Remove the generator and power steering pump bracket. Refer to Generator and Power Steering Pump Bracket Replacement in Charging System.
  22. Remove the spark plug wire harness from the spark plugs.
  23. Remove the spark plugs.
  24. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  25. Remove the engine coolant temperature sensor electric connector on the side of the cylinder head.

  26. Object Number: 11482  Size: SH
  27. Remove the cylinder head bolts.
  28. Remove the cylinder head.
  29. Remove the cylinder head gasket. Discard the cylinder head gasket.

Installation Procedure

Tool Required

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter


    Object Number: 11482  Size: SH
  1. Install the new cylinder head gasket.
  2. Install the cylinder head over the dowel pins and the gasket.
  3. Coat the threads of the cylinder head bolts with the sealing compound GM P/N 10346004 or the equivalent.

  4. Object Number: 11523  Size: SH
  5. Install the cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence on the first pass to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

    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.

  7. Use the J 36660-A in order to tighten the cylinder head bolts on the second pass.
  8. Tighten

        • Tighten the short bolts (3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16) 55 degrees.
        • Tighten the medium bolts (14, 17) 65 degrees.
        • Tighten the long bolts (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13) 75 degrees.
  9. Install the engine coolant temperature sensor electrical connector on the side of the cylinder head.
  10. Install the pushrods and the valve rocker arms. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  11. Install the spark plugs.
  12. Tighten

        • Tighten the spark plugs to 30 N·m (22 lb ft) if a new cylinder head was installed.
        • Tighten the spark plugs to 20 N·m (15 lb ft) if a used cylinder head was installed.
  13. Install the spark plug wire harness to the spark plugs.
  14. Install the generator and power steering pump bracket. Refer to Generator and Power Steering Pump Bracket Replacement in Charging System.
  15. Install the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump in Power Steering Gear and Pump.

  16. Object Number: 39119  Size: SH
  17. Install the right valve rocker arm cover.
  18. Install the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement in Charging System.

  19. Object Number: 11666  Size: SH
  20. Install the heater hose to the water pump.
  21. Install the radiator outlet hose to the water pump.
  22. Install the engine coolant air bleed pipe bolt to both of the cylinder heads using a backup wrench.
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

  24. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  25. Install the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  26. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to General Information.
  27. Install the warm up three-way catalytic converter and gasket to the exhaust manifold. Refer to Warmup Three Way Catalytic Converter in Exhaust System.
  28. Install the air conditioning compressor front mounting bolts.
  29. Tighten
    Tighten the front mounting bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  30. Install the air conditioning compressor electrical connector.
  31. Install the air conditioning compressor rear brace bolt to the engine block.
  32. Tighten
    Tighten the air conditioning compressor rear brace bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  33. Install the fluid level indicator tube bracket to the transmission housing and the rear of the right cylinder head.
  34. Install the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
  35. Install the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  36. Lower the vehicle.
  37. Refill with coolant. Bleed the system. Refer to Draining and Refilling Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.