GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • J 8089 Carbon Removal Brush
    • J 9666 Valve Spring Tester
    • J 8001 Dial Indicator Set

Cleaning Procedure

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1310007  Size: SH

    Note: Mark, sort, or organize components for return to their original locations.

  1. Clean the valve stems and heads on a buffing wheel.
  2. Clean the following components in solvent:
  3. • Valve stem keys (220)
    • Valve spring cap (219)
    • Valve spring (218)
    • Valve Rotators (216)
    • Valve (232)
    • Cylinder head

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.

  4. Dry the components with compressed air.

  5. Object Number: 35201  Size: SH

    Note: Do not damage the chamber or the valve seat.

  6. Use the J 8089 brush in order to clean the carbon from the combustion chambers.

Visual Inspection Procedure

Inspect the cylinder head for the following conditions:

    • Damaged gasket surfaces
    • Damage to threaded bolt holes
    • Burnt or eroded areas in the combustion chamber
    • Cracks in the exhaust ports and combustion chambers
    • External cracks in the water chamber
    • Restrictions in the intake or exhaust passages
    • Restrictions in the cooling system passages

Flatness Measurement Procedure


    Object Number: 64318  Size: SH
  1. Measure the cylinder head for warpage with a straight edge and feeler gage.
  2. • A cylinder head block deck with warpage in excess of 0.050 mm (0.002 in) within a 150.0 mm (6.0 in) area must be repaired or replaced.
    • A cylinder head exhaust manifold deck with an overall warpage in excess of 0.102 mm (0.004 in) must be repaired or replaced.
    • A cylinder head intake manifold deck with warpage in excess of 0.080 mm (0.003 in) must be repaired or replaced.
  3. A cylinder head block deck can be resurfaced up to 0.305 mm (0.012 in) maximum removal.
  4. Note: Excessive cylinder head resurfacing will affect compression ratio and emission control.

  5. A cylinder head that requires excessive resurfacing must be replaced.

Valve Inspection Procedure


    Object Number: 677854  Size: SH
  1. Inspect the valves for the following conditions:
  2. • Burnt or damaged areas (1)
    • Undersized valve margin (2)
    • Bent stem (3)
    • Scoring or other damage to the stem (4)
    • Worn key groove (5)
    • Worn stem tip (6)

    Object Number: 156173  Size: SH
  3. Inspect the valve contact surface for the following conditions:
  4. • Undersized margin (1)
    • Pitted surface (2)
    • Burnt or eroded areas (3)
    • Acceptable edge, margin (4)

    Note: Minor imperfections of the valve may be corrected during reconditioning.

  5. Valves with excessive damage must be replaced.

Valve Spring Inspection and Measurement

  1. Inspect the valve springs for broken coils or coil ends.

  2. Object Number: 4960  Size: SH
  3. Use the J 9666 tester in order to measure the valve spring force. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications.
  4. Note: Add a maximum of 1 shim, up to 0.726 mm (0.030 in) thick, to increase tension.

  5. If the valve spring tension is low, use a shim to increase tension.
  6. Inspect the valve spring tension again. A valve spring that does not meet specification must be replaced.

Valve Guide Measurement Procedure


    Object Number: 677797  Size: SH

    Note: Excessive valve stem-to-guide clearance may cause an excessive oil consumption and may also cause a valve to break. Insufficient clearance results in noisy and sticky functioning of the valve and disturbs the engine assembly smoothness.

  1. Measure the valve stem-to-guide clearance.
  2. 1.1. Clamp the J 8001 set on the exhaust port side of the cylinder head.

            Note: The indicator stem must contact the side of the valve stem just above the valve guide.

    1.2. Locate the indicator so that the movement of the valve stem from side to side, crosswise to the cylinder head, causes a direct movement of the indicator stem.
    1.3. Drop the valve head approximately 1.6 mm (0.064 in) off the valve seat.
    1.4. Use light pressure when moving the valve stem from side to side in order to obtain a clearance reading. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications.

    Object Number: 719136  Size: SH
  3. Valve guide (2) with excessive clearance must be repaired. Refer to Valve Guide Reaming, and Valve and Seat Grinding.
  4. Replace the cylinder head if the valve guide cannot be repaired or reamed to accept an oversize valve stem.