FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair


Tighten cylinder head bolts a little at a time in steps in the sequence shown in the illustrations. Final tightening should be to the torque specifications listed. After tightening the bolts to specifications, they should not be disturbed.


Fig. 13 Cylinder head tightening sequence. 1982-88 V6-232:




Fig. 14 Intake manifold tightening sequence. 1982-88 V6-232:




Fig. 15 Applying RTV sealer for intake manifold installation. 1982-88 V8-255, 302 & 1982-88 V6-232:






1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then drain cooling system.
2. Remove air cleaner, air intake duct and heat tube.
3. Loosen accessory drive belt idler and remove drive belt.
4. If left cylinder head is to be removed, proceed follows:
a. Remove oil filler cap.
b. If equipped with power steering, remove pump bracket attaching bolts, then remove pump and bracket assembly and position pump aside with hoses attached.
c. If equipped with A/C, remove compressor bracket attaching bolts, then position compressor and bracket assembly aside with refrigerant lines attached.
5. If right cylinder head is to be removed, proceed as follows:
a. Remove Thermactor diverter valve and hose assembly.
b. Remove accessory drive belt idler, then remove alternator.
c. Remove Thermactor pump pulley, then remove Thermactor pump.
d. Remove alternator mounting bracket. On models equipped with Tripminder, the fuel supply line from the fuel pump to the fuel sensor will have to be disconnected to gain access to the upper alternator bracket bolt.
e. Remove PCV valve.
6. Remove intake manifold and exhaust manifolds.
7. Remove rocker arm cover attaching screws, then loosen cover by using a putty knife under cover flange and remove cover. Do not use excess force when loosening rocker arm cover as cover may become damaged.
8. Loosen rocker arm fulcrum bolt enough to allow rocker arms to be rotated to one side, then remove pushrods. Tag pushrods so they can be installed in the same position.
9. Remove cylinder head attaching bolts, then remove cylinder head and gasket.

WARNING: This engine uses "Torque To Yield Bolts". Always use new cylinder head bolts to ensure leak-tight assembly. Torque retention with used bolts can vary, which may result in coolant or compression leakage at the cylinder head mating surface.

10. Reverse procedure to install. Apply a thin coating of pipe sealant D8AZ-19558-A or equivalent to the shorter cylinder head bolts which are installed on the exhaust manifold side of the cylinder head. Do not apply pipe sealant to long bolts which are installed on the intake manifold side of the cylinder head.
Using Fig. 13. for sequence, torque the cylinder head bolts in the following steps:
a. 50 N-m (37 ft lbs)
b. 60 N-m (45 ft lbs)
c. 70 N-m (52 ft lbs)
d. 80 N-m (59 ft lbs)
e. Back-off all bolts 2 or 3 turns.
f. Repeat steps a through d.
Before installing intake manifold, apply a 1/8 inch bead of silicone rubber sealer D6AZ-19562-B or equivalent at mating surfaces of intake manifold, cylinder heads and cylinder block, Fig. 15. Also apply a 1/8 inch bead of sealer to the outer end of each intake manifold seal for the full width of the seal.
Using Fig. 14. torque the intake manifold in the following steps:
a. 10 N-m (8 ft lbs)
b. 20 N-m (15 ft lbs)
c. 32 N-m (24 ft lbs)