Genuine Chevrolet K1500 Cylinder Head

Chevrolet K1500 Cylinder Head Parts Questions & Answers

• Cylinder Head Assembly (W/Studs)
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  Q: How to disassemble and inspect cylinder heads for Chevrolet C1500 and K1500?

  A: New and rebuilt cylinder heads are commonly available for most engines at dealerships and auto parts stores. Some specialized tools are necessary for the disassembly and inspection procedures, and replacement parts may not be readily available, making it more practical and economical for the home mechanic to purchase replacement heads rather than disassemble, inspect and recondition the originals. On 7.4 liter (454 cubic inch) engines, two head designs are generally available -"open chamber" and "closed chamber." These heads will interchange as far as bolt patterns, accessory mounting, etc. is concerned, but the different combustion chamber designs require different piston dome shapes. If you're purchasing a set of reconditioned cylinder heads, make sure the new heads match the combustion chamber design of the originals. Cylinder head disassembly involves removal of the intake and Exhaust Valves and related components. If they're still in place, remove the rocker arm nuts, pivot balls and rocker arms from the cylinder head studs. Label the parts or store them separately so they can be reinstalled in their original locations. Before the valves are removed, arrange to label and store them, along with their related components, so they can be kept separate and reinstalled in the same valve guides they are removed from. Compress the springs on the first valve with a spring compressor and remove the keepers. Carefully release the valve spring compressor and remove the retainer or (if used) rotator, the shield, the springs and the spring seat or shims (if used). Remove the oil seal(s) from the valve stem and the umbrella-type seal from the guide (if used), then pull the valve out of the head. If the valve binds in the guide (won't pull through), push it back into the head and deburr the area around the keeper groove with a fine file or whetstone. Repeat the procedure for the remaining valves. Remember to keep all the parts for each valve together so they can be reinstalled in the same locations. Once the valves and related components have been removed and stored in an organized manner, the head should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected. If a complete engine overhaul is being done, finish the engine disassembly procedures before beginning the cylinder head cleaning and inspection process.
• Cylinder Head & Stud ASSEMBLY
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  Q: How to thoroughly clean cylinder heads and related valve train components for Chevrolet C1500 and K1500?

  A: Clean the cylinder heads thoroughly and its related valve train components, removing old gasket material from the head gasket, along with sealing compound at the intake manifold and exhaust manifold sealing surfaces. Clear away scale buildup in the coolant passages and clean out via wire brush all kinds of holes as well as threaded holes. With a solvent wash down, completely dry cleaner rocker arm pivot stud threads, cylinder head, rocker arms push rods, spring retainers plus keepers, valve springs shields. The valves can be scraped to get rid of heavy deposits while the valve heads' epidermis can be cleaned free of deposit through electrically driven wire brushes. Examine for cracks in coolant wairs or warping. The condition of valves seating stem guide clearance faces spring wear retainers and covers end pivots are checked out for wear damage or proper installation by measuring margin width on spring seats as well as blade contact area between two adjacent rockers push rod ends bolted stud guide plates pull rods arm nuts studs are observed at every opportunity if broken replace them. For poor conditions reassemble valve parts into cylinder head: however for good conditions, reassemble them without major service operations performed on the same parts again.
• Cylinder Head
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  Q: How to reassemble the heads and ensuring they are clean?

  A: Do not assume that the heads are clean enough for reassembly just because they were serviced by a valve machine shop. Start by greasing up and putting in the first valve, apply moly-base grease or clean engine oil to the valve stem. In such cases, there are three types of valve stem oil seals, depending on the year, size and model of the engine; a small O-ring around the valve stem above the guide boss; a flat O-ring in a groove below the valve stem keeper groove; or an umbrella-type seal that extends over the valve guide. Make sure new valve stem seals-especially round O-ring or umbrella types-are seated properly over each top of their respective valve guides. Drop these spring seats or shims over each guide and then set the valve spring(s), shield, and retainer (or rotator) into place. Using a valve spring compressor compress springs before positioning with lower groove seal only if it is a flat o-ring ensure it is lying flat without any twist to it. Put keepers in place at upper groove after releasing compressor making sure they really seat properly. These keepers can be stuck with grease if necessary. Take care not to mix up parts when doing other valves in this manner. After having placed all of your valves in both heads, check these vacuum pump operated special adapters for leaking on each head's O ring seals which can be done by either service department, repair shop or automotive machine shop. The adapter should be attached to every valve retainer or rotator while vacuumed using hand pump upon them. If vacuum cannot be maintained, it indicates a leaking seal that must be checked and replaced before installing the head on the engine. Now measure installed spring height using either ruler or dial caliper ensuring it meets specified height measurements accordingly. However, this measurement should be accurate if servicing was done elsewhere but it's better to check again-it is essential though. You should measure the distance from the top of each spring seat or shims to the top of oil shield or bottom of retainer/rotator which are the same points. In case this height is more than prescribed, add shims under springs to bring it down with precautions not to lower it below. From here, apply moly-base grease on both rocker arm faces and pivot balls then install rocker arms and pivots on cylinder head studs threading the nuts just a few times.
• Engine Cylinder Head
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  Q: How do you remove the cylinder heads for Chevrolet C1500 and K1500?

  A: To begin with, take off the Rocker Arm covers and then the Intake Manifold, making sure that the cooling system is drained to stop coolant from seeping into internal engine areas when the manifold and heads are removed. After that, remove rocker arms and Pushrods by detaching both Exhaust Manifolds. Use a new head gasket and create a template on a piece of cardboard by outlining the cylinders and bolt pattern while noting the front of the engine for reference then punch holes through at the bolt locations. In 1/4 turn increments, loosen head bolts until they can be removed by hand following a tightening sequence in reverse. To maintain original positions, store bolts in cardboard holder. Take off heads carefully from engine and avoid prying between head and block when resistance is met to prevent damage of mating surfaces but instead use wood block and hammer to free out heads if need arises. To protect gasket sealing surfaces, place heads on blocks of wood. The cylinder head and block mating surfaces should be cleaned right off using a gasket scraper to remove carbon and old gasket material followed by lacquer thinner or acetone washes. Mating surfaces should be dry as any oil may result into improper gasket sealing resulting into leakage problems. Some blemishes may call for filing while others could necessitate machining; thus inspect these surfaces for damages that might have occurred before installing new parts. Chase threads in the head bolt holes with the appropriate tap then clean threads thoroughly. Set new gaskets over dowel pins in block; apply thin coat of sealant on both sides if using steel gasket before placing it ensuring raised bead faces up. Composition gaskets shall be installed without any sealant being used at all. Now, position heads atop block without shift mortification occurring to gaskets placement itself. Just before mounting the head bolts make sure that they are coated with non-hardening sealant like Permatex no 2 and then screw into their original positions tightening them by hand. Gradually torque the bolts to the specified torque following the recommended tightening sequence. Finish the installation with the rest of the steps in reverse order.