Tools Required

Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the timing chain housing. Refer to Timing Chain Housing Replacement .
3. Remove the camshaft timing chain and the intake camshaft sprocket. Refer to Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement .



4. Rotate the crankshaft 90 degrees to prevent interference between the valves and the pistons.



5. Loosen the intake camshaft bearing caps in sequence.
6. Remove the intake camshaft bearing caps.
7. Remove the intake camshaft.




Important: 

•	Store the valve lifters so that they can be installed in the same bore from which they were removed.

•	Do not disassemble the valve lifter.

•	Do not apply force to the body (valve side) of the valve lifter, this will force oil to leak out of the valve lifter.

•	Store the valve lifters submerged in clean engine oil camshaft side down until installation.

•	Store the valve lifters camshaft side up if left in air until installation. Do not store in air with the camshaft side down or on the valve lifter side.

8. Remove the valve lifters.

1. Measure the camshaft lobe height using the J 26900-2 . Replace the camshaft if any lobe is below the minimum.

Standard Intake Camshaft Lobe Height
40.402-40.562 mm (1.5906-1.5969 in)

Minimum Intake Camshaft Lobe Height
40.202 mm (1.5827 in)




2. Place the camshaft (1) onto V-blocks. Measure the camshaft runout using the J 8001 with the J 26900-13 . Replace the camshaft if the runout exceeds 0.10 mm (0.0039 in).



3. Inspect the camshaft bearing caps (1) for wear, cracks and scoring.
4. Inspect the camshaft bearing journals in the cylinder head for wear, cracks and scoring.
5. If excessive wear or scoring is present, or if the cylinder head is cracked, replace the cylinder head (with bearing caps).
6. Clean the journals of the camshaft and the cylinder head.
7. Do not install the valve lifters.
8. Install the camshaft.

Important: Do not turn the camshaft while the gauging plastic is installed.

9. Place a piece of gauging plastic across the full width of each camshaft journal.




Important: Cylinder head and camshaft damage may result if the bearing caps are incorrectly installed. The oil clearance measurement will also be incorrect.

10. Install the camshaft bearing caps. The caps are marked intake or exhaust (1), position away from the timing chain (2), and direction toward the timing chain (3).




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.

11. Use 3 progressive steps to tighten the camshaft bearing cap bolts in sequence.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 11 N·m (97 lb in).




12. Remove the camshaft bearing caps.
13. Measure the gauging plastic at its widest point (1).

Standard Oil Clearance
0.020-0.074 mm (0.0008-0.0029 in)

Maximum Oil Clearance
0.12 mm (0.0047 in)

14. If the clearance is greater than the maximum perform the following:

14.1.

Remove the camshaft.

14.2.

Measure the camshaft journal outside diameter with the J 26900-2 .

Camshaft Journal OD
25.959-25.980 mm (1.0220-1.0228 in)

14.3.

Install the camshaft bearing caps and torque to 11 N·m (8 lb ft).

14.4.

Measure the camshaft journal inside (bore) diameter.

Camshaft Bore ID
26.000-26.033 mm (1.0236-1.0249 in)

15. Replace the component (the camshaft or the cylinder head with caps) that has the greatest difference from specification.



16. Inspect the valve lifters for wear, scoring and damage.
17. Measure the valve lifters with the J 26900-2 .

Valve Lifter OD
30.959-30.975 mm (1.2189-1.2194 in)




18. Measure the valve lifter bores in the cylinder head.

Valve Lifter Bore ID
31.000-31.025 mm (1.2205-1.2214 in)

19. The valve lifter-to-valve bore clearance is found by subtracting the valve lifter outside diameter from the valve lifter bore inside diameter.

Standard Valve Lifter-to-Valve Bore Clearance
0.025-0.066 mm (0.0010-0.0025 in)

Maximum Valve Lifter-to-Valve Bore Clearance
0.15 mm (0.0059 in)

20. If the oil clearance is greater than the maximum, replace the lifter. If the oil clearance is still greater than the maximum, replace the cylinder head.



21. Inspect that the oil control valve in the cylinder head is clean and that the check ball is free.

1. Pour engine oil into the oil feed hole in the valve lifter bore in order to flush any debris from the gallery and to prelube the bore.
2. Apply engine oil to the valve lifter and install the valve lifters in the same bore from which they were removed.



3. Line up the crankshaft keyway with the timing mark on the engine block (3).



4. Apply engine oil to the camshaft journals and lobes.
5. Install the camshaft aligning the guide pins (1) with the notches (3) on the cylinder head.



6. Install the dowel pins (1) to the cylinder head.
7. Apply a bead of GM P/N 12346240 or equivalent to the exhaust camshaft end housing (2).




Important: Cylinder head and camshaft damage may result if the bearing caps are incorrectly installed.

8. Install the camshaft bearing caps. The caps are marked intake or exhaust (1), position away from the timing chain (2), and direction toward the timing chain (3).




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.

9. Tighten the camshaft bearing caps.

Tighten
Tighten the camshaft bearing caps in 3 progressive steps in the sequence shown to 11 N·m (97 lb in).

10. Install the intake camshaft sprocket and timing chain. Refer to Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement .
11. Install the timing chain housing. Refer to Timing Chain Housing Replacement .

Important: 

•	Do not turn the camshafts or start the engine (valves should not be operated) for approximately 30 minutes after replacing the valve lifters and camshafts.

•	Allow approximately 30 minutes for the valves to settle in place. Operating the valves before this time may cause valve or piston damage.

•	The valve(s) may make a tapping/ticking sound after replacement if air is trapped in the valve lifter. Run the engine at 2000 RPM until the air is purged from the lifter.

•

If the tapping/ticking does not stop, locate the defective lifter with a stethoscope and replace it. Or, remove the cylinder head cover with the engine stopped and push the lifter down by hand with a force less than 20 kg (44 lbs) when the camshaft is on the base circle. If clearance exists between the camshaft and the lifter, the lifter is defective and should be replaced.

12. Connect the negative battery cable.