GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable from the battery. Refer to Battery Cable in Engine Electrical.
  2. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Remove the engine electrical wiring harness and lay to the side.
  4. Disconnect the engine ground straps. Refer to Engine Ground Strap Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  5. Remove the air conditioning compressor from the accessory mounting bracket. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement Air Conditioning Replacement in HVAC.
  6. Remove the air conditioning accessory mounting bracket from the engine block head. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement in Engine Mechanical.
  7. Remove the generator from the accessory mounting bracket. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  8. Remove the accessory mounting bracket from the engine block. Refer to Generator Brace Replacement .
  9. Remove the upper intake manifold from the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  10. Remove the lower intake manifold from the engine block. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  11. Remove the valve rocker arm covers from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
  12. Remove the valve rocker arm from the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  13. Remove the pushrod from the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  14. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinder heads. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  15. Remove the exhaust manifolds from the cylinder head. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .

  16. Object Number: 452378  Size: SH
  17. Remove cylinder head bolts from the engine block.
  18. Remove the cylinder heads and gaskets from the engine block.
  19. Clean and inspect the sealing surfaces on the cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Clean and Inspect .
  20. Discard the cylinder head bolts.

Installation Procedure

Important: Do not use sealer on the composition gaskets, and make sure that the punch code (7.4L) on the cylinder head gasket is facing up. Refer to Replacing Engine Gaskets .

Important: When servicing the right cylinder head, use a rubber band to secure the cylinder head bolts to the valve spring to hold cylinder bolt for ease of cylinder head removal.


    Object Number: 452378  Size: SH
  1. Assemble the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Assemble .
  2. Install the cylinder head gaskets to the engine block.
  3. Install the cylinder heads to the engine block.
  4. Important: Make sure that the threads on the cylinder head bolts are clean as well as the threaded holes in the engine block.

  5. Install New cylinder head bolts. Refer to Cylinder Head Installation (Left) and Cylinder Head Installation (Right) .
  6. Install the push rod into the engine block. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  7. Install the valve rocker arm to the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  8. Install the valve rocker arm covers to the cylinder head. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm Cover Replacement .
  9. Install the exhaust manifolds to the cylinder heads. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  10. Install the spark plugs to the cylinder head. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  11. Install the lower intake manifold to the cylinder head. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  12. Install the upper intake manifold to the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  13. Install the engine ground straps to the engine block. Refer to Engine Ground Strap Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  14. Install the generator mounting bracket to the engine block. Refer to Generator Brace Replacement .
  15. Install the generator to the mounting bracket. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  16. Install the air conditioning mounting bracket to the cylinder head. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement .
  17. Install the air conditioning compressor to the mounting bracket. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement in Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement in HVAC.
  18. Connect the engine electrical wiring harness.
  19. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  20. Connect the battery negative cable to the battery. Refer to Battery Cable in Engine Electrical.