An engine’s cylinder head gasket ensures that oil and antifreeze do not enter the combustion chamber. If white smoke exits the exhaust pipe, it is likely that water is entering the combustion chamber; black smoke indicates that oil is entering the combustion chamber. Either substance within the combustion chamber will dramatically reduce the power and efficiency of an engine, and the problem will only get worse over time. Although replacing a cylinder head gasket is a challenging task, a substantial amount of money can be saved by avoiding having a professional do the work.
Remove the distributor if it enters the engine though the intake manifold. The distributor is held in place with a single bolt located underneath the distributor, which can be removed with a wrench. Once the distributor’s bolt has been removed, pull the distributor straight up to remove it.
Remove the intake manifold by withdrawing each of the manifold’s retaining bolts with a wrench, then by prying the manifold free from the top of the engine with a pry bar.
Disconnect the exhaust manifold from the side the cylinder head. An exhaust manifold attaches to the cylinder head with several bolts, which can be removed with a wrench.
Remove the bolts which hold the valve cover to the top of the cylinder head to expose the rocker arms. Remove the nut which holds each rocker arm in place with a wrench, then lift away each rocker arm and push rod. Remove the cylinder head’s retaining bolts, then lift the cylinder head off of the engine.
Clean the bottom surface of the cylinder head, as well as the cylinder head’s mating surface on the engine, with a gasket scraper. Place a new cylinder head gasket onto the engine, then lower the cylinder head onto the gasket. Do not use gasket sealer on the head gasket. Insert each cylinder head bolt through the head and into the engine, then tighten each bolt in small increments with a torque wrench to the proper setting as specified by the engine’s specifications manual.
Slide each pushrod into position through the cylinder head, followed by each rocker arm. Tighten each rocker arm’s retaining nut with a torque wrench to the proper setting as specified by the engine’s specifications manual.
Install the valve cover and intake manifold with new gaskets coated with gasket sealer. Install the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head with a new exhaust manifold gasket. Do not coat the exhaust manifold gasket with gasket sealer. If applicable, insert the distributor through the intake manifold and secure it to the engine with the distributor’s retaining screw.
