For 1990-2009 cars

## Cylinder Head Replacement Left Side

### Removal Procedure

Important: During disassembly, keep the valve train components together and identified so that they can be installed in their original locations.

Do a compression test and note the results before you do the following repairs:

• | Remove the cylinder head(s)

• | Disassemble the valve mechanism

1. Depressurize the fuel system. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Relief in Engine Fuel.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

   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.

   .
3. Drain the cooling system. Recover the cooling system. Refer to Draining, Flushing and Filling the Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
4. Remove the top half of the air cleaner assembly. Remove the throttle body duct.
5. Remove the exhaust crossover heat shield.
6. Remove the exhaust crossover.
7. Remove the valve rocker cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
8. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Upper Intake Manifold Replacement and Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
9. Remove the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
10. Remove the oil level indicator. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .

Important: Keep the pushrods in order. Install the pushrods in the original position.

11. Remove the pushrods.
12. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.
13. Remove the cylinder head.
14. Clean the mating surfaces on the following items:

• | Cylinder head

• | Cylinder block

• | Intake manifold

15. Clean the cylinder block bolt threads.

### Installation Procedure

#### Special Tools

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter

1. Place the cylinder head gasket in position over the dowel pins. Ensure that the This Side Up note is showing.
2. Install the cylinder head.

Notice: This component uses torque-to-yield bolts. When servicing this component do not reuse the bolts, New torque-to-yield bolts must be installed. Reusing used torque-to-yield bolts will not provide proper bolt torque and clamp load. Failure to install NEW torque-to-yield bolts may lead to engine damage.

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.

3. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 60 N·m (44 lb ft) in the sequence shown. Use the J 36660-A in order to tighten the bolts an additional 95 degrees.

4. Install the intake gasket.
5. Install the pushrods that are loosely retained by the rocker arms.

• | Install the pushrods in their original locations.

• | Coat the pushrod ends with prelube.

• | Use GM P/N 1052356 or the equivalent.

• | The intake pushrods are marked with yellow stripes. The intake pushrods are 5 3/4 inch long.

• | The exhaust pushrods are marked with green stripes. The exhaust pushrods are 6 in long.

• | Make sure that the pushrods seat in the lifter.

6. Install the rocker arm bolts. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
7. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
8. Install the valve rocker cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
9. Install the oil level indicator. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
10. Install the left exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
11. Install the crossover pipe.
12. Install the crossover heat shield.
13. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Draining, Flushing and Filling the Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
14. Install the throttle body duct. Install the top half of the air cleaner assembly.
15. Connect the negative battery cable.

## Cylinder Head Replacement Right Side

### Removal Procedure

Important: During disassembly, keep the valve train components together and identified so that they can be installed in their original locations.

Do a compression test and note the results before you do the following repairs:

• | Remove the cylinder head(s)

• | Disassemble the valve mechanism

1. Depressurize the fuel system. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Relief in Engine Fuel.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

   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.

   .
3. Drain the cooling system. Recover the cooling system. Refer to Draining, Flushing and Filling the Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
4. Remove the top half of the air cleaner assembly. Remove the throttle body duct.
5. Remove the exhaust crossover heat shield.
6. Remove the exhaust crossover from both of the exhaust manifolds.
7. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to General Information.
8. Remove the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Remove the spark plug wires at the right cylinder head.
11. Remove the valve rocker cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
12. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Upper Intake Manifold Replacement and Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .

Important: Keep the pushrods in order. Install the pushrods in the original position.

13. Remove the pushrods.
14. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.
15. Remove the cylinder head.
16. Clean the mating surfaces on the following items:

• | Cylinder head

• | Cylinder block

• | Intake manifold

17. Clean the cylinder block bolt threads.

### Installation Procedure

#### Special Tools

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter

1. Place the cylinder head gasket in position over the dowel pins. Ensure that the This Side Up note is showing.
2. Install the cylinder head.

Notice: This component uses torque-to-yield bolts. When servicing this component do not reuse the bolts, New torque-to-yield bolts must be installed. Reusing used torque-to-yield bolts will not provide proper bolt torque and clamp load. Failure to install NEW torque-to-yield bolts may lead to engine damage.

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.

3. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 60 N·m (44 lb ft) in the sequence shown. Use the J 36660-A in order to tighten the bolts an additional 95 degrees.

4. Install the intake gasket.
5. Install the pushrods that are loosely retained by the rocker arms.

• | Install the pushrods in the original locations.

• | Coat the ends of the pushrods with prelube. Use GM P/N 1052356 or the equivalent.

• | The intake pushrods are marked with yellow stripes. The intake pushrods are 5 3/4 inches long.

• | The exhaust pushrods are marked with green stripes. The exhaust pushrods are 6 inches long.

• | Make sure that the pushrods seat in the lifter.

6. Install the rocker arm bolts. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
7. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement and Upper Intake Manifold Replacement .
8. Install the valve rocker cover. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
9. Install the spark plug wires to the cylinder head.
10. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to General Information.
11. Install the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Install the exhaust crossover at the right manifold.
14. Install the crossover heat shield.
15. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Draining, Flushing and Filling the Cooling System in Cooling and Radiator.
16. Install the throttle body duct. Install the top half of the air cleaner.
17. Connect the negative battery cable.