Tools Required

1. Remove the oil level indicator. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
2. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
3. Remove the coolant air bleed pipe. Refer to Coolant Air Bleed Pipe Assembly Replacement .
4. Remove the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Right Side .
5. Remove the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
6. Remove the negative battery cable stud (1) from the front of the right cylinder head.
7. Remove the negative battery cable terminal (2) and the engine harness terminal (3) from the cylinder head.




Important: The cylinder head bolts are of a torque-to-yield design and are NOT to be reused.

8. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts (220, 221).

Notice: After removal, place the cylinder head on 2 wood blocks in order to prevent damage to the sealing surfaces.

9. Remove the cylinder head (218).



10. Remove and discard the cylinder head gasket (217).
11. If required, clean and inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.

Notice: Clean all dirt, debris, and coolant from the engine block cylinder head bolt holes. Failure to remove all foreign material may result in damaged threads, improperly tightened fasteners or damage to components.

Important: 

1. Clean the engine block cylinder head bolt holes, if required. Thread repair tool J 42385-107, found in J 42385-200 may be used to clean the threads of old threadlocking material.
2. Spray cleaner GM P/N 12346139, P/N 12377981 (Canadian P/N 10953463), or equivalent into the hole.
3. Clean the cylinder head bolt holes with compressed air.
4. Check the cylinder head locating pins for proper installation (a) 8.3 mm (0.327 in).




Important: When properly installed, with FRONT on the right side, the tab on the cylinder head gasket should be located right of center.

5. Install the NEW cylinder head gasket (217) onto the locating pins.



6. Install the cylinder head (218) onto the locating pins.
7. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts (220, 221).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.




8. Tighten the cylinder head bolts.

Tighten

1. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a first pass in sequence to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10) a second pass in sequence to 90 degrees using J 45059 .
3. Tighten the M11 cylinder head bolts (1-10 ) a final pass to 70 degrees in sequence using J 45059 .
4. Tighten the M8 cylinder head bolts (11-15) to 30 N·m (22 lb ft). Begin with the center bolt (11) and alternating side-to-side, work outward tightening all of the bolts.



9. Ensure that the engine harness terminal (3) is positioned behind the negative battery cable terminal (2).
10. Position the negative battery cable terminal (2) to the cylinder head.
11. Install the negative battery cable stud (1) to the front of the right cylinder head.

Tighten
Tighten the stud to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

12. Install the pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
13. Install the right exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Right Side .
14. Install the coolant air bleed pipe. Refer to Coolant Air Bleed Pipe Assembly Replacement .
15. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
16. Install the oil level indicator. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .