Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

V6-231 & 252
Prior to reinstalling cylinder head bolts, coat the head bolts with a suitable heavy body thread sealer. This is to prevent coolant leakage, as the head bolt holes extend into the water jacket.
An accurate torque wrench should be used when installing head bolts. Uneven tightening of the head bolts can distort the cylinder bores, causing compression loss and excessive oil consumption.
1. Drain coolant and disconnect battery.
2. Remove intake manifold as outlined previously.
3. When removing right cylinder head, remove alternator and/or A/C compressor with mounting bracket and position aside. Do not disconnect hoses from A/C compressor.
4. When removing left cylinder head, remove oil dipstick and power steering pump, and secure pump aside leaving hoses connected.
5. Disconnect exhaust manifold from head to be removed.
6. Remove rocker arm shaft and lift out pushrods.
7. Remove cylinder head.

Fig. 4 Cylinder head tightening sequence. 1982---83 V6-231 & 252:

8. On 1982-85 engines, reverse procedure to install and tighten bolts gradually and evenly in the sequence shown in figure.
9. On 1986-87 V6-231, reverse procedure to install and note the following:

Fig. 5 Cylinder bolt tightening sequence. 1984 V6-252 & 1984---87 V6-231:

A. Torque cylinder head bolts to 34 N.m (25 lbs. ft.) per sequence shown in figure.

Important
^ Should you reach 81 N.m (60 lbs. ft.) at any time in steps B & C, you should stop at this point. Do not complete the balance of the 90° turn.

B. Tighten each bolt 1/4 turn (90°) in sequence.
C. Tighten each bolt an additional 1/4 (90°) in sequence.