GM 12699617 Head Assembly, Cyl (W/ Vlv)

To remove cylinder heads start by draining the cooling system next remove the intake manifold, fuel rail from the cylinder head, crankcase valve covers, rocker arms and pushrods. Remove the exhaust manifold, where there is one, or to remove each of the manifold halves if there are two. If working on the right cylinder head, the drivebelt, the air conditioning compressor belt, the alternator, the idler pulley bolt and alternator and air conditioning compressor bracket should be detached from the engine. Subsequently, the spark plugs should be pulled out and the cylinder head bolts come less than 1/4-turn and be removed in the reverse pattern of the tightening sequences. Remove the bolts and acquire fresh ones to fix the equipment. Carefully remove the cylinder head(s) from the engine by placing a wooden block and lightly tapping it with a hammer if needed then, place the head on wooden blocks in order not to harm the gasket surfaces. To install you have to make sure that the mating surface of the cylinder heads and blocks are clean, use a gasket scraper and brake system cleaner to clean to remove carbon and old gasket material. To avoid cleaning debris in to the engine, cover the lifter valley with shop rags, and if there is debris that falls into the cylinders, use the vacuum cleaner to clean. Examine mating surfaces for nicks or deep scratches and, if required, take the assistance of a file or a machinist. Run the threads in the cylinder head bolt holes with a tap of the correct number. Align the new gaskets over the dowel pins in the block with the marks UP on top, but be very careful with composition type gaskets. Place the cylinder heads in the block properly keeping the gasket intact; then install the new cylinder head bolts and tightened them slightly with you fingers in the recommended sequence, and torque. The rest of the installation is just the opposite of removal. Last, replace the oil and the filter, refill the cooling system with the right type of coolant, and then engage the motor, looking out for signs of any leakage of oil or coolant.

Next, remove the coolant air bleed pipe, alternator and its bracket, and disconnect the ground strap at the back of the left cylinder head. For the right cylinder head on 6.0L models, remove the dipstick tube and disconnect the ground cables from the front of the cylinder head.