The cylinder head on your 1998 Ford Escort is where the valves are located. This part is bolted to the engine and has the intake and exhaust manifolds bolted to it. The bolts that secure these three parts must be torqued (tightened to a specific tightness) in a specific sequence and to a specific tightness. If this sequence and torque specification aren't followed, the head gasket can develop a leak and cause severe damage to your engine.
The most important tool you'll need when you need to reinstall the cylinder head is a torque wrench. This is a type of ratchet that allows the user to set a specific torque into the tool and that will emit an audible and physical "click" when the proper torque is reached. You'll also need a ratchet, 5/8-inch socket, 5-inch extension and a ratchet that will fit the socket and extension. You should invest the money to buy the Haynes or Chilton Motor Manual, also, since it has a wealth of information you may need. These tools can usually be rented from auto parts stores.
The cylinder head bolts are tightened in multiple steps. You will set the torque wrench to 30 foot-pounds, lock the setting and follow a specific sequence until all 10 bolts have been properly torqued to that setting. You will then use the regular ratchet to loosen each of the bolts, in the same sequence, exactly one half turn. Finally, set the torque wrench to 44 foot-pounds and, following the same sequence, torque each of the bolts again.
Place yourself in front of the engine compartment, looking toward it. The torque sequence for the bolts is 9-3-1-5-7-8-6-2-4-10. Bolt #1 is at the left corner of the head closest to you when you're facing the engine, and #10 is at the upper right corner, farthest away from you. Start at the bottom left corner, move up, one bolt to the right, down, one bolt to the right, and so on, until you reach the upper right corner, to count the bolt numbers.
Make sure you lock the torque wrench to ensure the setting doesn't change during use. Place one hand on the head of the torque wrench as you turn the bolt with it to ensure an accurate reading of the torque. When the torque wrench clicks, the specified torque has been reached. Don't keep turning. To tighten the bolts, turn them clockwise. To loosen, turn counterclockwise. Use quality tools for torquing -- lower quality tools can allow false torque readings due to twisting.
