Cylinder Head Assembly

PROCEDURE

1. Whether or not the head was sent to a repair shop for valve service, carefully check the cleanliness of all components before starting assembly.
2. If the head has been returned from the repair shop, the valves and related components will already be installed. In this case, skip the procedures in the next five paragraphs and go directly to step 8.

3. First install the spring seats on the valve guides, then slide a new valve stem seal onto each valve guide. Tap the intake and exhaust valve stem seals into place with a suitable driver or socket of the correct size.

Stop tapping the seal as soon as it is fully seated on the guide. Further blows may damage the rubber. Make sure the seals are not twisted on the guides.

The intake and exhaust valve stem seals differ in size and are marked with color codes. Do not mix them up.

4. Working from one end of the head to the other, lubricate the first valve with molybdenum-based or assembly engine lubricant and insert it into the head. Lubricate the valve stem with clean engine oil.

5. Using a vernier caliper, check the installed height of each valve stem in turn (distance from the spring seat to the end face of the valve stem).

If the head was repaired at a repair shop, this dimension will already be adjusted correctly.
If any measurement exceeds the value given in the Specifications, replace the corresponding valve and repeat the check. If replacing the valve does not correct the problem, the valve seat is recessed too deeply in the head and the head must be replaced.

6. Install the valve springs and spring retainer on the valve stem.

Valve springs are installed with the closely wound coils facing the cylinder head.

7. Using the special tool, compress the springs by pressing down the retainer, then install the valve keepers in the groove on the valve stem. To hold the keepers in place until the tool is released, lubricate their inner surfaces with heavy grease.

8. Repeat the procedure for the remaining valves. Make sure that all components are installed in their original positions.
9. Installation of the camshaft(s) and rocker arm assemblies is performed after the head is assembled to the reduced set (see the Alternative Engine Rebuild Options section).