Cylinder Head LH: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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 which make leak paths. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove all traces of the head gasket.

NOTE: New cylinder head bolts must be installed. They are torque-to-yield designed and cannot be reused.

Fig 1: Tightening Sequence Of LH Cylinder Head Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Position the LH cylinder head, gasket and install the bolts in the sequence shown in six stages.
- Tighten the bolts in six stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten bolts 90 degrees.
- Stage 3: Loosen one full turn.
- Stage 4: Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Stage 5: Tighten 90 degrees.
- Stage 6: Tighten 90 degrees.
Position a new gasket and install the exhaust manifold nuts in the sequence shown.

Fig 2: Installing Sequence Of Exhaust Manifold Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the hydraulic lash adjusters.
- Lubricate the hydraulic lash adjusters with clean engine oil.
Fig 3: Installing Hydraulic Lash Adjusters
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the camshaft followers.
- Lubricate the camshaft followers with clean engine oil.
Fig 4: Installing Camshaft Followers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the LH camshafts. For additional information, refer to CAMSHAFTS LH .
Install the water pump. For additional information, refer to ENGINE COOLING .
Install the LH exhaust manifold-to-pipe nuts.

Fig 5: Installing LH Exhaust Manifold-To-Pipe Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the coolant pump bypass tube. For additional information, refer to ENGINE COOLING .