GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 45059 Angle Meter

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 1608802  Size: SH
  1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  2. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
  5. Remove the valve rocker arms and the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  6. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side .
  7. Remove the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  8. Disconnect the left spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
  9. Remove the spark plug wire clips from the brackets.
  10. Disconnect and remove the left spark plug wires from the ignition coil.

  11. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  12. Remove the left spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  13. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.
  14. Remove the cylinder head.

  15. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  16. Remove and discard the cylinder head gasket.
  17. Remove the cylinder head locator dowel pins, if necessary.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1557858  Size: SH

    Notice: Head gaskets are specific for right hand and left hand applications, and also must be installed with the correct side facing up. Note the markings (1) on the head gaskets for proper installation. Failure to do so may lead to engine damage.

  1. Install the cylinder head locator dowel pins, if necessary.
  2. Inspect the cylinder head locator dowel pins for proper installation.

  3. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  4. Install a NEW cylinder head gasket.

  5. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  6. Install the cylinder head onto the locator pins and the engine.
  7. 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.

  8. Install NEW cylinder head bolts finger tight.
  9. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 826677  Size: SH
  10. Tighten the cylinder head bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts in sequence to 60 N·m (44 lb ft) plus an additional 95 degrees using the J 45059 .

  12. Install the left spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

  13. Object Number: 1608802  Size: SH
  14. Install and connect the left spark plug wires to the ignition coil.
  15. Install the spark plug wire clips to the brackets.
  16. Connect the left spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
  17. Install the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  18. Install the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side .
  19. Install the valve rocker arms and the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  20. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement .
  21. Fill the engine with oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  22. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  23. Inspect for leaks.

Special Tools

J 45059 Angle Meter

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 1608802  Size: SH
  1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling.
  2. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement.
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement.
  5. Remove the valve rocker arms and the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement.
  6. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side.
  7. Remove the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement.
  8. Disconnect the left spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
  9. Remove the spark plug wire clips from the brackets.
  10. Disconnect and remove the left spark plug wires from the ignition coil.

  11. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  12. Remove the left spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement.
  13. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.
  14. Remove the cylinder head.

  15. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  16. Remove and discard the cylinder head gasket.
  17. Remove the cylinder head locator dowel pins, if necessary.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1557858  Size: SH

    Caution: Head gaskets are specific for right hand and left hand applications, and also must be installed with the correct side facing up. Note the markings (1) on the head gaskets for proper installation. Failure to do so may lead to engine damage.

  1. Install the cylinder head locator dowel pins, if necessary.
  2. Inspect the cylinder head locator dowel pins for proper installation.

  3. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  4. Install a NEW cylinder head gasket.

  5. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  6. Install the cylinder head onto the locator pins and the engine.
  7. Caution: 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.

  8. Install NEW cylinder head bolts finger tight.
  9. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 826677  Size: SH
  10. Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 60 N·m (44 lb ft) plus an additional 95 degrees using the J 45059 .
  11. Install the left spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement.

  12. Object Number: 1608802  Size: SH
  13. Install and connect the left spark plug wires to the ignition coil.
  14. Install the spark plug wire clips to the brackets.
  15. Connect the left spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
  16. Install the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement.
  17. Install the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side.
  18. Install the valve rocker arms and the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement.
  19. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Lower Intake Manifold Replacement.
  20. Fill the engine with oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement.
  21. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling.
  22. Inspect for leaks.