Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

Fig. 3 Cylinder Head Bolt Tightening Sequence:

The cylinder head and the TBI (Throttle Body Injection) unit and the intake and exhaust manifolds are removed as an assembly.
1. Relieve fuel system pressure as outlined under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE/RELIEVING FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE then disconnect battery ground cable, then drain cooling system and remove TBI cover.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Disconnect exhaust pipe at exhaust manifold and heater hose at intake manifold.
4. Lower vehicle.
5. Disconnect vacuum lines at intake manifold.
6. Disconnect accelerator linkage at carburetor or TBI unit, then remove accelerator linkage bracket bolt and the bracket.
7. Disconnect all electrical wires that will interfere with cylinder head removal, then remove upper radiator hose from cylinder head.
8. Remove serpentine belt, then remove power steering pump and position aside.
9. Disconnect fuel line from TBI unit. Place shop towel over fuel line and fitting when disconnecting.
10. Remove alternator and position aside. Do not remove wires.
11. Remove alternator rear brace.
12. Remove rocker arm cover and rocker arms, then the pushrods.
13. Remove cylinder head bolts and the cylinder head assembly.
14. Reverse procedure to install. Coat cylinder head and cylinder head bolts with sealer and install bolts finger tight. Torque cylinder head bolts to specification in sequence shown in Fig. 3.