LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 321 (Engine - 6.8L) >> In-Vehicle Repair >> Cylinder Head >> Removal

Cylinder Head: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING: Do not smoke or carry lighted tobacco or open flame of any type when working on or near any fuel-related components. Highly flammable mixtures are always present and can be ignited, resulting in possible personal injury.
WARNING: Fuel in the fuel system remains under high pressure even when the engine is not running.
  1. Remove the timing chains. For additional information, refer to TIMING DRIVE COMPONENTS .
  2. Remove the RH exhaust manifold. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST MANIFOLD RH .
  3. Remove the LH exhaust manifold. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST MANIFOLD LH .
  4. Compress and slide the hose clamp back, and remove the heater water hose.
    Fig 1: Removing Heater Water Hose
    G01537308Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Install the special tools.
    Fig 2: Installing Special Tools
    G01537309Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    6. CAUTION: Use care when removing the cylinder head from the vehicle and placing it on a bench. Some valves may be protruding below the bottom of the cylinder head.
    CAUTION: The cylinder head must be cool before removing it from the engine. Cylinder head warpage can result if a warm or hot cylinder head is removed.
    CAUTION: Place clean shop towels over exposed engine cavities. Carefully remove the towels so foreign material is not dropped into the engine.
    CAUTION: The cylinder head bolts must be discarded and new bolts installed. They are tighten-to-yield designed and cannot be reused.
    CAUTION: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or other abrasive means to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove all traces of the head gasket.
    CAUTION: Aluminum surfaces are soft and can be scratched easily. Never place the cylinder head gasket surface, unprotected, on a bench surface.
    CAUTION: Place the cylinder head on a cardboard or wood surface to prevent damage to the joint face.
    NOTE: The four center bolts cannot be removed until the cylinder head is removed from the vehicle. To remove the cylinder head without damaging the gasket mating surface, lift the bolts slightly above the cylinder head gasket mating surface and hold in place using a rubber band.
    Fig 3: Removing Cylinder Head
    G01537310Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Remove the bolts and the cylinder head.
    • Discard the head gasket and the bolts, and clean the engine block surface.
    • The LH is shown. The RH is similar.
    7. CAUTION: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or other abrasive means to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove all traces of the head gasket.
    CAUTION: Observe all warnings or cautions and follow all application directions contained on the packaging of the silicone gasket remover and the metal surface prep.
    NOTE: If there is no residual gasket material present, metal surface prep can be used to clean and prepare the surfaces.
  7. Clean the cylinder head-to-cylinder block mating surfaces of both the cylinder head and the cylinder block.
    1. Remove any large deposits of silicone or gasket material with a plastic scraper.
    2. Apply silicone gasket remover, following package directions, and allow to set for several minutes.
    3. Remove the silicone gasket remover with a plastic scraper. A second application of silicone gasket remover may be required if residual traces of silicone or gasket material remain.
    4. Apply metal surface prep, following package directions, to remove any remaining traces of oil or coolant, and to prepare the surfaces to bond with the new gasket. Do not attempt to make the metal shiny. Some staining of the metal surfaces is normal.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals