Do not start this procedure until after a complete cooling of the engine. First remove the fuel pressure, then the negative cable to the battery. Drain the cooling system and remove the block drains and the alternator and distributor. Then, you take down the
Intake Manifold,
Exhaust Manifold, detaching the
Timing Belt and
Camshaft sprockets. Remove the camshaft(s) from the head(s) to be removed, removing the inner timing belt cover at the same time. Unplug the coolant temperature sensor, unscrew the coolant passage assembly, and use a socket wrench to loosen the cylinder head bolts in 1/4 turn increments until you can take them off in your hand; this is easiest done with an Allen bolt extender. Pry the cylinder head off the engine block, if necessary prying against an external casting protrusion but not between the head and block in order to avoid head to block gasket surface damage. Make sure mating surfaces of the cylinder heads and block are perfectly clean for installation. Working on the cylinder head area, use a gasket scraper to clean all the carbon from the cylinder head and any loose gasket material (again, use care to not gouge the aluminum). Lacquer thinner or acetone will clean the surfaces, shop rags stuffed into the cylinders will help keep debris out. If you check the block and head mating surfaces, nicks and scratches are allowed and can be filed out, but excessive damage may require machining. Chase the threads in the head bolt holes with a tap and remove the dirt from the threads with a compressed air can. Instead, mount each bolt in a vise, and run a die down the threads to remove corrosion. Install the new gaskets over the locating dowels in the block making sure the the oil control jets are installed with new O rings. Set your head on the block, careful not to disturb the gasket and apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the head bolts threads. Torque the bolts and special washers to finger tight first (following their sequence), then in two steps in accordance with the recommended sequence. If that is not the case then the same procedure can be repeated with the other cylinder head. Remaining installation steps are the exact reverse of removal. Refill cooling system, change oil and filter, run engine, check coolant and for leaks.