Allow the engine to cool completely before beginning this procedure. Position the number one piston at Top Dead Center. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Drain the cooling system and remove the spark plugs. Remove the intake/exhaust manifold; if only replacing the cylinder head gasket, it isn't necessary to remove the manifolds, but assistance may be needed to lift the head off the engine if the manifold is left attached. Remove the distributor, including the cap and wires. Remove the timing belt. Remove the valve cover. Loosen the head bolts in 1/4-turn increments until they can be removed by hand, following the recommended sequence to avoid warping the head. Lift the head off the engine, taking care not to pry between the head and block gasket mating surfaces to avoid damage; instead, pry against the casting protrusions on the sides of the cylinder head and set the head on blocks of wood to prevent damage to the gasket sealing surfaces. Cylinder head disassembly and inspection procedures are important, and it's advisable to have the head checked for warpage, even if just replacing the gasket. The mating surfaces of the cylinder head and block must be perfectly clean when the head is installed. Use a gasket scraper to remove all traces of carbon and old gasket material, then clean the mating surfaces with lacquer thinner or acetone. If there's oil on the mating surfaces when the head is installed, the gasket may not seal correctly and leaks may develop. Stuff the cylinders with clean shop rags to keep out debris while working on the block, and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any material that falls into the cylinders. Since the head is made of aluminum, be careful not to damage the mating surfaces with aggressive scraping. Check the block and head mating surfaces for nicks, deep scratches, and other damage; slight damage can be removed with a file, while excessive damage may require machining. Use a tap of the correct size to chase the threads in the head bolt holes, and mount each head bolt in a vise to run a die down the threads to remove corrosion and restore them, as dirt, corrosion, sealant, and damaged threads will affect torque readings. Place a new gasket on the block and set the cylinder head in position. Install the bolts, tightening them in four steps while following a specific sequence to the required torque. Reinstall the timing belt. Reinstall the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal. Be sure to refill the cooling system and check all fluid levels. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise slowly by hand through two complete revolutions and recheck the camshaft timing marks. Start the engine and check the ignition timing. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached, checking for leaks and proper operation.
