GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cylinder Head Replacement Right

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
  2. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  3. Disconnect the engine ground strap.
  4. Remove the generator from the mounting bracket. Refer to Generator Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  5. Remove the generator mounting bracket from the engine block.
  6. Remove the throttle body assembly from the upper intake manifold. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls-7.4L

  7. Object Number: 64529  Size: SH
  8. Remove the upper intake manifold from the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .

  9. Object Number: 64532  Size: SH
  10. Remove the lower intake manifold from the engine block. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .

  11. Object Number: 64534  Size: SH
  12. Remove the valve rocker arm cover from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .

  13. Object Number: 64537  Size: SH
  14. Remove the valve rocker arms from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  15. Object Number: 64539  Size: SH
  16. Remove the pushrod from the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  17. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

  18. Object Number: 64527  Size: MH
  19. Remove the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .

  20. Object Number: 64909  Size: SH
  21. Remove the cylinder head bolts from the engine block.
  22. Remove the cylinder head and the gasket from the engine block Refer to Cylinder Head Removal (Right) .
  23. Clean and inspect the sealing surfaces on the engine block. Refer to Engine Block Cleaning and Inspection .
  24. Disassemble the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble .

Installation Procedure

Important: Do not use sealer on the composition gasket. Ensure that the punch code (7.4L) on the cylinder head gasket is facing up.

  1. Assemble the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Assemble .
  2. Install the cylinder head locating pins, if removed.

  3. Object Number: 64909  Size: SH

    Important: Ensure the threaded holes in the engine block are clean and not damaged. Do not use sealer on any engines that use a composition type gasket. Align the cylinder head gasket in position over the cylinder head locating pins.

  4. Install the cylinder head gasket to the engine block.
  5. Important: Guide the cylinder head carefully into place over the locating pins and the cylinder head gasket.

  6. Install the cylinder head to the engine block.
  7. Coat the threads of the cylinder head bolts with sealing compound GM P/N 12346004.

  8. Object Number: 64549  Size: SH

    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. Install the cylinder head bolts to the cylinder head and tighten finger tight.
  10. Tighten

    1. Tighten the bolts a first pass in sequence to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the bolts a second pass in sequence to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).
    3. Tighten the bolts (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) a final pass in sequence to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).
    4. Tighten the bolts (4, 5, 10, 11) a final pass in sequence to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).

    Object Number: 64539  Size: SH
  11. Install the push rods into the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  12. Object Number: 64537  Size: SH
  13. Install the valve rocker arms to the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  14. Object Number: 64534  Size: SH
  15. Install the valve rocker arm cover to the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .

  16. Object Number: 64527  Size: MH
  17. Install the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  18. Install the spark plugs to the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

  19. Object Number: 64532  Size: SH
  20. Install the lower intake manifold to the cylinder heads. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .

  21. Object Number: 64529  Size: SH
  22. Install the upper intake manifold to the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  23. Install the engine ground strap to the cylinder head.
  24. Install the throttle body assembly to the upper intake manifold. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls-7.4L
  25. Install the generator mounting bracket to the engine block. Refer to Accessory Brackets Replacement (Generator Mounting Bracket) in Engine Electrical.
  26. Install the generator to the mounting bracket.
  27. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  28. Connect the battery negative cable.

Cylinder Head Replacement Left

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Before servicing any electrical component, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position and all electrical loads must be OFF, unless instructed otherwise in these procedures. If a tool or equipment could easily come in contact with a live exposed electrical terminal, also disconnect the negative battery cable. Failure to follow these precautions may cause personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable from the battery.
  2. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling
  3. Remove the engine electrical wiring harness and lay the harness to the side.
  4. Disconnect the engine ground straps.
  5. Remove the air conditioning compressor from the mounting bracket. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement
  6. Remove the air conditioning mounting bracket from the cylinder head.
  7. Remove the generator from the mounting bracket. Refer to Generator Replacement
  8. Remove the generator mounting bracket from the engine block.

  9. Object Number: 64529  Size: SH
  10. Remove the upper intake manifold from the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement

  11. Object Number: 64532  Size: SH
  12. Remove the lower intake manifold from the engine block. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement

  13. Object Number: 64534  Size: SH
  14. Remove the valve rocker arm covers from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement

  15. Object Number: 64537  Size: SH
  16. Remove the valve rocker arm from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement

  17. Object Number: 64539  Size: SH
  18. Remove the pushrod from the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement
  19. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinder heads. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement

  20. Object Number: 64527  Size: MH
  21. Remove the exhaust manifolds from the cylinder heads. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement

  22. Object Number: 64909  Size: SH
  23. Remove cylinder head bolts from the engine block.
  24. Remove the cylinder heads and gaskets from the engine block.
  25. Refer to the following procedures:
  26. • Cylinder Head Removal (Left)
    • Cylinder Head Removal (Right)
  27. Clean and inspect the sealing surfaces on the engine block. Refer to Engine Block Cleaning and Inspection
  28. Disassemble the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble

Installation Procedure

Important: Do not use sealer on the composition gaskets. Ensure that the punch code (7.4L) on the cylinder head gasket is facing up.

  1. Assemble the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Assemble

  2. Object Number: 64909  Size: SH
  3. Install the cylinder head gasket to the engine block.
  4. Install the cylinder head to the engine block.
  5. Important: Ensure that the threads on the cylinder head bolts, and the threaded holes in the engine block are clean.

  6. Coat the threads of the cylinder head bolts with sealing compound GM P/N 12346004.

  7. Object Number: 64549  Size: SH

    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.

  8. Install the cylinder head bolts to the cylinder head and tighten finger tight.
  9. Tighten

    1. Tighten the first sequence to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the second sequence to 80 N·m (60 lb ft).
    3. Tighten the final sequence to 115 N·m (85 lb ft).

    Object Number: 64539  Size: SH
  10. Install the push rod into the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement

  11. Object Number: 64537  Size: SH
  12. Install the valve rocker arm to the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement

  13. Object Number: 64534  Size: SH
  14. Install the valve rocker arm covers to the cylinder heads. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement

  15. Object Number: 64527  Size: MH
  16. Install the exhaust manifolds to the cylinder heads. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement
  17. Install the spark plugs to the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement

  18. Object Number: 64532  Size: SH
  19. Install the lower intake manifold to the cylinder head. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement

  20. Object Number: 64529  Size: SH
  21. Install the upper intake manifold to the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement
  22. Install the engine ground straps to the engine block.
  23. Install the generator mounting bracket to the engine block.
  24. Install the generator to the mounting bracket. Refer to Generator Replacement
  25. Install the air conditioning mounting bracket to the cylinder head.
  26. Install the air conditioning compressor to the mounting bracket. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement
  27. Install the engine electrical wiring harness.
  28. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling
  29. Connect the battery negative cable.