Tools Required

1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
2. Remove the intake plenum. Refer to Intake Plenum Replacement .
3. Remove the intake air resonator. Refer to Intake Air Resonator Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.0L.
4. Remove the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .



5. Remove the intake manifold spacer bolts (1).
6. Remove the intake manifold spacer (2).



7. Disconnect the following electrical connectors from the water crossover:

•	The engine coolant temperature sender (2)

•	The engine coolant temperature sensor (4)

8. Remove the throttle body and heater inlet hoses from the water crossover.



9. Remove the water crossover bolts and upper seals (2).
10. Remove the water crossover and lower seals (2).
11. Remove the ignition coil pack. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 in Engine Controls - 3.0L.
12. Remove the left camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Replacement - Left Side .
13. Remove the timing belt. Refer to Timing Belt Replacement .



14. Remove the timing belt tensioner bracket bolts.
15. Remove the timing belt tensioner bracket.
16. Remove all 4 of the camshaft gears. Refer to Camshaft Drive Sprocket Replacement .

Important: Use a catch basin to collect escaping coolant.

17. Remove the water pump bolts.
18. Remove the water pump.



19. Remove the rear timing belt cover bolts.
20. Remove the rear timing belt threaded pin.
21. Remove the rear timing belt cover.
22. Disconnect the camshaft position sensor (CMP) electrical connection and cut the plastic tie.
23. Remove the exhaust camshaft bearing cap bolts.

Important: Camshaft bearing caps are scribed with an L or an R followed by a number.

The caps marked with an L are on the passenger side of the cylinder head.
The caps marked with an R are on the drivers side of the cylinder head.
24. Remove the camshaft bearing caps.
25. Remove the exhaust camshaft and seal.
26. Remove the upper radiator hose clamp.
27. Remove the upper radiator hose from the coolant pipe.



28. Remove the coolant pipe/engine lift bracket bolt (2) from the cylinder head.
29. Grasp the oil level indicator tube firmly (4) and pull the tube upward to remove.



30. Twist the coolant pipe to remove.

Important: The exhaust manifold will not be completely removed, it must be separated from the cylinder head to allow for cylinder head removal clearances.

Follow only the steps in the referred procedure to disconnect the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head.
31. Pull away the left side exhaust manifold from the cylinder head. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side Engine Exhaust.



32. Follow the sequence shown to loosen the cylinder head bolts.
33. Remove the cylinder head bolts. Discard the cylinder head bolts.
34. Remove the cylinder head.
35. Remove the cylinder head gasket.
36. Clean and inspect the cylinder head gasket mating surfaces. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical - 3.0L Unit Repair.

1. Install the new cylinder head gasket with OBEN/TOP imprint toward the front of the engine.
2. Install the cylinder head to the engine block.




Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Install the new cylinder head bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the cylinder head bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

4. Use the J 36660-A to rotate the cylinder head bolts in the following sequence:

Tighten

1. The first pass rotate the cylinder head bolts 90 degrees.
2. The second pass rotate the cylinder head bolts 90 degrees.
3. The third pass rotate the cylinder head bolts 90 degrees.
4. The fourth pass rotate cylinder head bolts 15 degrees.
5. The fifth and final pass rotate the cylinder head bolts 15 degrees.
5. Install the left side exhaust manifold to the cylinder head. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement - Left Side in Engine Exhaust.



6. Replace the 2 seal rings on the coolant pipe.
7. Lubricate the seal rings with coolant.
8. Install the coolant pipe into the thermostat housing.



9. Install the oil level indicator tube (4).
10. Install the coolant pipe/engine lift bracket bolt (2) to the cylinder head.

Ensure the bolt passes through all of the attached components.

Tighten
Tighten the coolant pipe/engine lift bracket bolt (2) to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

11. Install the upper radiator hose to the coolant pipe.
12. Install the upper radiator hose clamp and secure.



13. Lubricate the camshaft bearing surfaces with GM P/N 1052367 or equivalent, and install the camshaft to the cylinder head.

Important: Ensure the pin on the exhaust camshaft is approximately in the 1 o'clock position to allow for minimal load on the camshaft when installing the bearing caps.

The exhaust is marked with gray paint between bearings 2 & 3 and has a code E cast into it near the number one bearing surface.




Important: DO NOT allow the sealer to get into the oil journal of the cap.

14. Apply a small amount of Loctite® 518 or equivalent on the forward edge of the front bearing caps to ensure an adequate seal between the bearing cap and the cylinder head.
15. Install the camshaft bearing caps in their appropriate position.
16. Install the camshaft bearing cap bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the camshaft bearing cap bolts evenly, starting from the center cap moving outward to 8 N·m (71 lb in).

17. Coat the lip of the camshaft seal with a small amount of GM P/N 12377985 chassis grease or equivalent, to aid in installation.
18. Use the J 35268-A to tap the camshaft seal into place.

Ensure the camshaft seal is fully and evenly seated.

19. Connect the camshaft position sensor (CMP) sensor electrical connection and secure with a plastic tie.



20. Install the rear timing belt cover.
21. Install the rear timing belt cover bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the rear timing belt cover bolts to 8 N·m (71 lb in).

22. Coat the threaded pin with thread locking compound, GM P/N 12345382 or equivalent.
23. Install the rear timing belt cover threaded pin.

Tighten
Tighten the rear timing belt cover threaded pin to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

24. Clean the water pump sealing surfaces.
25. Clean the cylinder block sealing surfaces.
26. Coat the seal ring of the water pump with silicone grease, GM P/N 12345579 or equivalent.



27. Install the water pump  (1).
28. Install the water pump bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the water pump bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

29. Install all 4 of the camshaft gears. Refer to Camshaft Drive Sprocket Replacement .



30. Install the timing belt tensioner bracket.
31. Install the timing belt tensioner bracket bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the timing belt tensioner bracket bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

32. Install the timing belt. Refer to Timing Belt Replacement .
33. Install the front timing belt cover. Refer to Timing Belt Cover Replacement .
34. Install the left camshaft cover. Refer to Camshaft Cover Replacement - Left Side .
35. Install the ignition coil pack. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 in Engine Controls - 3.0L.



36. Install the water crossover:

•	Position the crossover.

•	Slide the upper seals (2) onto the bolts.

•	Insert the bolts (1) through the crossover.

•	Slide the lower seals (2) under the crossover and onto the bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

37. Install the throttle body and heater inlet hoses to the water crossover.



38. Connect the electrical connectors at the following locations:

•	The engine coolant temperature sensor (4)

•	The engine coolant temperature sender (2)




39. Install the intake manifold spacer (2).
40. Install the intake manifold spacer bolts (1).

Tighten
Tighten the intake manifold spacer bolts in a spiral direction, starting from the inside and working outward, to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

41. Install the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
42. Install the intake air resonator. Refer to Intake Air Resonator Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.0L.
43. Install the intake plenum. Refer to Intake Plenum Replacement .
44. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.