GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cylinder Head Replacement Engine Left Side

Special Tools

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Drain the engine coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  3. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  4. Lower the vehicle.
  5. Remove the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  6. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  7. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Removal .
  8. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Removal .
  9. Remove the thermostat bypass pipe. Refer to Thermostat Bypass Pipes Replacement .
  10. Remove the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement .
  11. Remove the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  12. Remove the engine left side spark plug wires from the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement .
  13. Remove the engine left side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  14. Remove the engine left side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Removal .

  15. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  16. Remove the cylinder head bolts.
  17. Remove and discard the cylinder head.

  18. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  19. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
  20. Clean the following areas:
  21. • The gasket sealing surfaces on the cylinder head, cylinder block, and intake manifolds.
    • The cylinder block bolt threads.
  22. Clean and inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  1. Install the cylinder head gasket.

  2. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  3. Install the cylinder head.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 54295  Size: SH

    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.

  5. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 60 N·m (44 lb ft). Turn the bolts an additional 95 degrees using the J 36660-A .

  7. Install the engine left side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Installation .
  8. Install the engine left side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  9. Install the engine left side spark plug wires to the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement .
  10. Install the oil level indicator tube. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .
  11. Install the right engine mount strut bracket. Refer to Engine Mount Strut Bracket Replacement .
  12. Remove the thermostat bypass pipe. Refer to Thermostat Bypass Pipes Replacement .
  13. Install the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Installation .
  14. Install the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Installation .
  15. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  16. Install the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  17. Fill the engine with new engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  18. Fill the cooling system with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .

Cylinder Head Replacement Engine Right Side

Special Tools

J 36660-A Torque Angle Meter

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Drain the engine coolant from the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .
  3. Drain the engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement or Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  4. Lower the vehicle.
  5. Remove the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  6. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  7. Remove the valve rocker arms and pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Removal .
  8. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Removal .
  9. Remove the engine right side spark plug wires from the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement .
  10. Remove the engine right side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Removal .

  11. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  12. Remove and discard the cylinder head bolts.
  13. Remove the cylinder head.

  14. Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  15. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
  16. Remove the engine right side spark plugs from the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  17. Clean the following areas:
  18. • The gasket sealing surfaces on the cylinder head, cylinder block, and intake manifolds.
    • The cylinder block bolt threads.
  19. Clean and inspect the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 54362  Size: SH
  1. Install the cylinder head gasket.

  2. Object Number: 52299  Size: SH
  3. Install the cylinder head.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 54295  Size: SH

    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.

  5. Install the NEW cylinder head bolts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence to 60 N·m (44 lb ft). Turn the bolts an additional 95 degrees using the J 36660-A .

  7. Install the engine right side spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  8. Install the engine right side exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Installation .
  9. Install the engine right side spark plug wires to the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement .
  10. Install the exhaust crossover pipe. Refer to Exhaust Crossover Installation .
  11. Install the pushrods and valve rocker arms. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Installation .
  12. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  13. Install the upper intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  14. Fill the engine with new engine oil. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement or Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement .
  15. Fill the cooling system with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling .