GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cylinder Head Replacement Left Side

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  2. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct from the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls.
  4. Remove the engine cooling fan assembly. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  5. Important: Do not evacuate the A/C system. The A/C pipes can remain on the compressor.

  6. Remove the A/C compressor from the power steering bracket and move aside. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

  7. Object Number: 288833  Size: SH
  8. Remove the nuts holding the power steering pump rear bracket to the engine.

  9. Object Number: 475833  Size: SH

    Important: The power steering pump can remain on the power steering pump mounting bracket. The power steering pump hoses can remain attached to the power steering pump.

  10. Remove the power steering pump mounting bracket and move aside. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement .
  11. Remove the stud from the cylinder head.
  12. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  13. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .

  14. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH
  15. Remove the spark plug wire harness and the spark plug wire support.

  16. Object Number: 380110  Size: SH
  17. Remove the ground strap at the rear of the cylinder head.

  18. Object Number: 555709  Size: SH
  19. Remove the bolt holding the fuel pipes to the rear of the cylinder head.
  20. Remove the bolt and the ground wire.
  21. Remove the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  22. Remove the cylinder head and gasket. Refer to Cylinder Head Removal (Left) .
  23. Clean the engine block and the cylinder head sealing surfaces.
  24. 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.

  25. Clean the cylinder head bolts and the engine block bolt holes.
  26. For further service to the cylinder head refer to the following:
  27. • Cylinder Head Disassemble
    • Cylinder Head Clean and Inspect
    • Valve Guide Reaming/Valve and Seat Grinding
    • Cylinder Head Assemble

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Installation (Left) .
  2. Install the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  3. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH

    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.

  4. Install the spark plug wire harness and the spark plug wire support.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the spark plug wire harness support bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).


    Object Number: 555709  Size: SH
  6. Install the fuel pipe bracket bolt.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the fuel pipe bracket bolt to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  8. Install the ground wire and bolt.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the ground wire bolt to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).


    Object Number: 380110  Size: SH
  10. Install the ground strap and bolt at the rear of the cylinder head.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the ground strap bolt to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).

  12. Install the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  13. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .

  14. Object Number: 475833  Size: SH
  15. Install the power steering pump mounting bracket stud in the cylinder head.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering pump mounting bracket stud to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  17. Install the power steering pump mounting bracket. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement .

  18. Object Number: 288833  Size: SH
  19. Install the nuts holding the power steering pump rear bracket to the engine.
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering pump rear bracket nuts to 41 N·m (30 lb ft).

  21. Install the air conditioning compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
  22. Install the engine cooling fan. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  23. Fill the engine coolant system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  24. Connect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  25. Install the air cleaner outlet duct to the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls.

Cylinder Head Replacement Right Side

Removal Procedure

  1. Disconnect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  2. Drain the engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  3. Remove the air cleaner outlet duct from the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls.
  4. Remove the engine cooling fan assembly. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement in Engine Cooling.

  5. Object Number: 475837  Size: SH
  6. Remove the generator mounting bracket. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement .
  7. Remove the stud for the generator mounting bracket from the cylinder head.
  8. Remove the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .
  9. Remove the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .

  10. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH
  11. Remove the spark plug wire harness and the spark plug wire support.

  12. Object Number: 380121  Size: SH
  13. Remove the ground wires and bolt at the rear of the cylinder head.
  14. Remove the bolt holding the wiring harness clip to the cylinder head.
  15. Remove the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .
  16. Remove the cylinder head and gasket. Refer to Cylinder Head Removal (Right) .
  17. Clean the engine block and the cylinder head sealing surfaces.
  18. 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.

  19. Clean the cylinder head bolts and the engine block bolt holes.
  20. For further service to the cylinder head refer to the following:
  21. • Cylinder Head Disassemble
    • Cylinder Head Clean and Inspect
    • Valve Guide Reaming/Valve and Seat Grinding
    • Cylinder Head Assemble

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the cylinder head. Refer to Cylinder Head Installation (Right) .
  2. Install the valve pushrods. Refer to Valve Rocker Arm and Push Rod Replacement .

  3. Object Number: 317450  Size: SH

    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.

  4. Install the spark plug wire harness and the spark plug wire support.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the spark plug wire support bolts to 12 N·m (106 lb in).


    Object Number: 380121  Size: SH
  6. Install the ground wires and bolt at the rear of the cylinder head.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the ground wires bolt to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).

  8. Install the bolt holding the wiring harness clip to the rear of the cylinder head.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the wiring harness clip bolt to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).

  10. Install the exhaust manifold. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Replacement .
  11. Install the lower intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Replacement .

  12. Object Number: 475837  Size: SH
  13. Install the generator mounting bracket stud to the cylinder head.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the generator mounting bracket stud to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  15. Install the generator mounting bracket. Refer to Accessory Mounting Brackets Replacement .
  16. Install the engine cooling fan. Refer to Fan Clutch Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  17. Fill the engine coolant system. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  18. Connect the battery negative cable. Refer to Battery Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  19. Install the air cleaner outlet duct to the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Duct Replacement in Engine Controls.