1998 Cavalier Head Gasket Torque Procedures

The 1998 Chevy cavalier base model came with a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. When installing the cylinder head on your 2.2-liter engine, you have to tighten the bolts in a particular order or it may result in the head gasket leaking or failing prematurely. Most importantly the cylinder head bolts are torque-to-yield bolts, which means they must be replaced every time they are loosened or removed.

Instructions

1

Clean the mating surfaces of the cylinder head and engine block with a soft bristle wire brush. If there is any damage to the mating surface of the cylinder head, including deep gouges or excessive scratches, the cylinder head must be machined or replaced.

2

Lay the head gasket into place on the engine block so that the words this side up are visible. Set the cylinder head onto the engine block. Examine around the mating surface to make sure the gasket is seated properly.

3

Set the long bolts through the holes in the middle cylinder head and hand thread them into the block hand-tight. Set the short bolts into the holes on the outside of the cylinder head and tighten them hand-tight.

4

Tighten the center bolt on the inside of the head to 46 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Tighten the center bolt on the outside of the head to 43 foot-pounds. Tighten the bolt second from the left on the outside of the head to 43 foot-pounds. Tighten the bolt second from the left on the inside of the head to 46 foot-pounds. Tighten the bolt second from the right on the inside of the head to 46 foot-pounds. Tighten the bolt second from the right on the outside of the head to 43 foot-pounds. Tighten the left most bolt on the outside of the head to 43 foot-pounds. Tighten the left most bolt on the inside of the head to 46 foot-pounds. Tighten the right most bolt on the inside of the head to 46 foot-pounds. Tighten the right most bolt on the outside of the head to 43 foot-pounds.

5

Tighten the bolts another quarter turn in the following order: center inside bolt, center outside bolt, second from the left outside the head, second from the left inside the head, second from the right inside the head, second from the right outside of the head, left outside bolt, left inside bolt, right inside bolt, right outside bolt.