Head gasket

[softailFXST2004]

Started ripping motor apart today to change the head gasket on my 1999 6 cylinder grand am. I'm a mechanic but not an auto mechanic but very good with a wrench. Anyway where the hell is the head gasket? I got the whole top of the mototr off i removed the intake manifold and the wiring harness beneth it that goes to the spark chambers now under the intake manifold is the manifold that the valves are attached to this is the head yes??? Do i have to remove the valves? what kind of manuel will help me with this job? the haynes at autozone wasn't very helpful for this kind of job...any help is appreciated!!!Thanks

[GTP Dad]

Not to sound condescending it is located under the head. You obviously have not gotten that far yet. It appears that you have gotten the manifold off but not the head itself. You will need to remove the head bolts and then lift the head off. One thing you need to know is that you must use new head bolts when you replace the gasket. These bolts are torque to yield and must be replaced each time you remove torque from the head. If you reuse them your repairs will not last.

I like Chiltons but there are shop manuals that are actual factory manuals that go into great detail. They are quite expensive however.

[softailFXST2004]

thanks for the reply and the part about the bolts helped me but my question still goes unanswered.....is the part under the intake manifold (the part with the injectors in it) the head? any help would be appreciated
Thanks

[phaderus]

Originally Posted by softailFXST2004

thanks for the reply and the part about the bolts helped me but my question still goes unanswered.....is the part under the intake manifold (the part with the injectors in it) the head? any help would be appreciated
Thanks

[GTP Dad]

What size engine do you have? That will determine the next step. On most of the GM engines you have an upper and lower intake. The injectors usually are mounted to the lower intake manifold which must be removed to get to the heads.

[softailFXST2004]

Its a 3.4 liter 6 cyclider SE

[softailFXST2004]

ok I got the whole top of the motor off down to the lower intake I found the head bolts right down by the spark plugs...looks like I have to dissconnect the exhaust manifold also...is this correct? the front is easy the back by the firewall is a bitch....do I also have to remove the powersteering pump and water pump etc??? thanks...

[GTP Dad]

You will only need to remove the timing belt tensioner. The exhaust manifolds and the cross over pipe will need to be removed. The power steering pump and water pump do not need to be removed. There are only 8 bolts per head. Remove them and reinstall in the following order:
6 2 3 7 Top
5 1 4 8 Bottom
This will insure that the heads do not warp or twist. To get the head to come loose you may need to tap it with a rubber mallet or soft hammer.

[xeroinfinity]

softailFXST2004, to add to what GTPDad said, both the front and back manifold bolts can be a pita. I'd spray them with some penitrating fluid and let them soak. And you might break one, just to be for warned.
I hav my 99 apart now, broke two off on the back side. Luckily the bolts broke with enough on the out side to get the Vise grips on it(no drilling, yea). I'm using anti seize on the bolts to prevent this in the future, I hope. Good luck