Cylinder Heads: Inspection
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird and 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
When cleaning a cylinder head in a thermal type oven, DO NOT exceed 400°F (204°C).
CAUTION:
Be careful not to scuff the chamber.
- Use the Carbon Removing Brush (J-8089), in order to remove the carbon from the combustion chambers. Clean the gasket surfaces, valve stems and heads on a buffing wheel and remove all dirt, debris, or threadlocking material from the bolt hole threads.
- Inspect the cylinder head for cracks in the exhaust ports and combustion chambers, external cracks in the water chambers, gasket surfaces for excessive scratches or gouging and bolt hole threads for debris or damaged threads.
- Inspect the cylinder head for warpage. See CYLINDER HEAD SPECIFICATIONS . Inspect the valve springs for squareness. See VALVES & VALVE SPRINGS SPECIFICATIONS .
- Use the Valve Spring Tester (J-9666), in order to measure the valve spring tension. Replace the spring if the spring tension is less than 70 lbs. (310 N) at 1.80" (45.75 mm).