Chrysler 4387614 Head-Cylinder-Partial

Remove the timing belt and the camshaft sprocket. Carefully remove the bolts and work around the cover with a scraper or putty knife, ensuring not to damage the head, to release it from the sealant and lift the cover off. Note that removal of the cylinder head does not require the camshaft to be removed, so you may skip the steps related to camshaft removal if only the head is being taken off. Loosen the camshaft bearing cap nuts, working from the ends toward the center in 1/4-turn increments until they can be removed by hand, then lift off the cam bearing caps, tapping the camshaft lightly with a soft-faced hammer if necessary to loosen them. Remove the camshaft by lifting straight up to avoid damaging the thrust bearing surfaces, taking care not to cock it during removal to prevent damage to the thrust bearings. Reinstall the caps temporarily to protect the studs and bearing surfaces. Lift off the rocker arms, marking them or placing them in a marked container for reinstallation in their original locations, and remove the lash adjusters. Starting from the outside, loosen the head bolts 1/8-turn at a time to avoid warping the head, then remove the bolts and washers. If necessary, use a soft-face hammer to tap the cylinder head and break the gasket seal, avoiding prying between the cylinder head and the engine block, and then remove the cylinder head along with the gasket.

Regardless of whether the head was sent to an automotive machine shop for valve servicing, ensure it is clean before beginning reassembly. If the head was sent out for valve servicing, the valves and related components will already be in place. Lay all of the spring seats in position, then install new seals on each of the valve guides, pushing the seals down firmly over the valve guides. Install the valves carefully to avoid damaging the new valve stem oil seals, the valve springs, and the retainers, coating the valve stems with engine assembly lube or moly-base grease before inserting them into the guides and installing the springs with the painted side next to the retainer. Use a valve compressor tool to compress the spring and install the keepers, ensuring the retainer does not touch the seal. After releasing the compressor, check that the keepers are seated properly in the valve stem groove(s), using grease if necessary to hold the keepers in place until the compressor is released. Finally, double-check the installed valve spring height; if it was correct before disassembly, it should still be within the specified limits, measured from the bottom of the spring to the upper edge of the spring retainer.

Cylinder head service involves the removal and disassembly of the intake and exhaust valves along with their related components. Specialized tools are necessary for disassembly and inspection, and since replacement parts may not always be readily available, it can be more practical and economical for the home mechanic to purchase a replacement head instead of disassembling, inspecting, and reconditioning the original head. New and rebuilt cylinder heads for most engines are typically available at dealerships and auto parts stores. Before removing the valves, label and store them along with their components separately to ensure they can be reinstalled in the same valve guides. Measure the valve spring installed height of each valve and compare it to the specifications; if it exceeds the specified height, the valve seats and faces require attention. Use a spring compressor to compress the valve springs on the first valve, then remove the keepers, and carefully release the compressor to take out the retainer, springs, valve stem seal, spring seat, and valve from the head. If a valve binds in the guide, push it back into the head and deburr the area around the keeper groove. Repeat this process for each remaining valve, ensuring all parts for each valve are kept together for reinstallation. After all valves have been removed and stored, thoroughly clean and inspect the head, completing engine disassembly procedures if a complete overhaul is being performed before starting the cleaning and inspection of the cylinder head.