GM 10159552 Cylinder Head & Stud ASSEMBLY

Remove the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. Remove the bolts securing the alternator bracket to the cylinder head. If equipped, unbolt the air conditioner compressor and swing it out of the way for clearance. Disconnect all electrical and vacuum lines from the cylinder head, labeling them for easier reinstallation. Remove the upper radiator hose, disconnect the spark plug wires, and remove the spark plugs, ensuring to label the wires. Remove the rocker arm cover, breaking the gasket seal if necessary by striking the cover with your hand or a rubber hammer without prying between sealing surfaces. When disassembling the valve mechanisms, keep all components separate for reinstallation, using a numbered cardboard box or rack corresponding to the engine cylinders. Remove each rocker arm nut and separate the rocker arms and pivots from the cylinder head. Remove the pushrods, organizing them for reinstallation in their original locations. If the ignition coil is mounted separately from the distributor, disconnect the wires and remove the coil. Loosen each cylinder head mounting bolt one turn at a time in reverse of the tightening sequence until they can be removed, noting the length and position of each bolt for correct reinstallation. Lift the head off the engine, using a hammer and block of wood to tap the head if it is stuck, and place it on a block of wood to prevent damage to the gasket surface. Remove the cylinder head gasket. If a new cylinder head is being installed, transfer all external parts from the old head to the new one. Clean the gasket surfaces on the cylinder head and engine block thoroughly, avoiding damage. Ensure the threads of the head bolts and the threaded holes in the engine block are clean by running a tap through the holes. Place the gasket in position over the engine block dowel pins and carefully lower the cylinder head onto the engine, over the dowel pins and the gasket. Coat the threads of the Number 9 and 10 cylinder head bolts and the point where the head and bolt meet with a sealing compound, then install the bolts finger tight. Tighten each bolt a little at a time in the specified sequence until the proper torque reading is obtained, checking in a front-to-rear sequence to ensure none of the bolts have been overlooked. The remaining installation steps follow the reverse order of removal.

Begin by scraping away all traces of old gasket material and sealing compound from the head gasket, intake manifold, and exhaust manifold sealing surfaces, and remove any built-up scale around the coolant passages.

Repeat the initial steps of disconnecting the negative battery terminal, locating and draining the engine block, disconnecting the exhaust pipe, and lowering the vehicle.

Ensure the gasket surfaces on both the head and engine block are clean and free of nicks and scratches, and that the threads in the block and on the head bolts are completely clean.

The valve spring on the first valve should be compressed with a spring compressor to remove the keepers, followed by careful removal of the retainer, shield, springs, valve guide seal, spring seat, and valve from the head. If the valve binds in the guide, it may be necessary to push it back into the head and deburr the area around the keeper groove.