Head gasket how to install - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica

Here is what my manual says:

Your Current Vehicle: 2001 Dodge Ram 1500
3.9L, 5.2L & 5.9L Engines
NOTE
A steel-backed silicone gasket is used with the cylinder head cover. This gasket can be
used again.
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
2. Disconnect closed ventilation system and evaporation control system from
cylinder head cover.
3. Remove cylinder head cover bolts, cover and gasket. The gasket may be used
again.
To install:
1. Position the cylinder head cover gasket onto the head rail.
2. Position the cylinder head cover onto the gasket and install the bolts. Tighten the
bolts to 95 inch lbs. (11 Nm).
3. Install closed crankcase ventilation system and evaporation control system.
4. Connect the negative cable to the battery.
5. Start engine and check for leaks.
Repair content for 2001 Dodge Ram 1500

First place the gaskets on the head to see if they are the correct ones. Then to install, find some bolts that are the same size of the head bolts and cut off the top of them. Install then in the block, put on the head gasket , and put on the head. Then remove the bolts

1. Clean the cylinder gasket surfaces on the engine block.
2. Inspect the dowel pins (cylinder head locator) for proper installation.
3. Clean the cylinder head gasket surfaces on the cylinder head.
4. Place the NEW cylinder head gasket in position over the dowel pins (cylinder head locator).The cylinder head gasket is not directional and may be installed using either side facing the engine block.
5. Install the cylinder head to the engine block. Guide the cylinder head carefully into place over the dowel pins and the cylinder head gasket.
   
Install the cylinder head bolts.

6. Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown in the image below on the first pass to 30 [n-m] (22 lb ft).


7. Use a torque angle meter in order to tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence on the final pass. Tighten:
   
   • Tighten the long bolts (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 13) on the final pass in sequence to 75 degrees.
   • Tighten the medium bolts (14 and 17) on the final pass in sequence to 65 degrees.
   • Tighten the short bolts (3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, and 16) on the final pass in sequence to 55 degrees.


8. Measure the NEW spark plugs for the proper gap.Adjust the spark plug gap if necessary.
   Specification:
   Spark plug gap to 1.52 mm (0.060 in)
9. Install the NEW spark plugs. Tighten:
   
   • Tighten the spark plugs for a USED cylinder head to 15 [n-m] (11 lb ft).
   • Tighten the spark plugs for the initial installation of a NEW cylinder head to 30 [n-m] (22 lb ft).


10. If reusing the engine coolant temperature (ECT) gauge sensor, apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 to the threads of the ECT gauge sensor.
11. Install the ECT gauge sensor.Tighten:
    Tighten the ECT gauge sensor to 20 [n-m] (15 lb ft).
    

If you have coolant leaking out of the muffler the head gasket is most likely blown. The head gasket has passageways through it for coolant water, exhaust, intake and engine oil. Depending on which location the gasket has ruptured you can mix fluids or gasses in several combinations. The only way coolant can get to the exhaust is through a cracked head or blown head gasket. If the head is cracked and another head is installed a new head gasket is installed because reusing a used gasket is very risky. The only to be sure what is broken is to take the heads off. If only the head gasket is blown the head is usually warped and should at least be milled if not replaced. I hope this helps.

let me see if i can get some info 4 you.

edit
REMOVAL

1. Drain the coolant and disconnect the upper radiator hose.
2. Remove the breather hose (between the air cleaner and the head cover).
3. Remove the air-intake hose.
4. Remove the vacuum hose, fuel hose and coolant hose.
5. Remove the cables from the spark plugs. The cables should be removed by holding the boot portion.
6. Remove the ignition coil.
7. Remove the power steering oil pump and bracket.
8. Remove the intake manifold.
9. Remove the heat protector and exhaust manifold assembly.
10. Remove the coolant pump pulley and the crankshaft pulley.
11. Remove the timing belt cover.
12. Remove the timing belt tensioner pulley.
13. Remove the timing belt.
14. Remove the head cover.


15. Remove the cylinder head assembly. The cylinder head bolts should be removed by using Special Tool, Cylinder Head Bolt Wrench (09221-32001) or equivalent, in the sequence as shown in the illustration in two or three steps.
16. Remove the gasket pieces from the cylinder block top surface and cylinder head bottom surface. NOTE: Make sure that the gasket pieces do not fall in the engine.

INSTALLATION

1. Clean all gasket surfaces of the cylinder block and the cylinder head.
2. Install a new cylinder head gasket onto the cylinder head assembly. Apply sealant to the gasket and do not reuse the old cylinder head gasket.


3. Install the cylinder head bolts. Starting at top center, tighten all cylinder head bolts in sequence as shown in illustration, using the Cylinder Head Bolt Wrench (09221 - 32001) or equivalent. Repeat the procedure, re-tightening all cylinder head bolt to the specified torque. (torque spec is Cold Engine 105-115 Nm (76-83 ft lb) )
4. Install the timing belt tensioner pulley.
5. Install the timing belt on the camshaft sprocket, making sure that the tension side is tightened by turning the camshaft sprocket in reverse, all timing marks are in alignment.
6. Adjust the timing according to "Timing Belt"
7. Install the rocker cover and tighten the bolts to the specified torque. Tightening torque: Rocker cover belt:

2.5-3.5 Nm (25-35 kg.cm, 2-3 ft. lbs.)

8. Install the timing belt cover.
9. Install the new intake manifold gasket and the intake manifold. Tighten the nuts and bolts to the specified torque.
10. Install the new exhaust manifold gasket and the exhaust manifold. Tighten the exhaust manifold attaching nuts to the specified torque.
11. Install the surge tank and tighten the nuts bolts to the specified torque.
12. Install the power steering oil pump and bracket.
13. Install the ignition coil.
14. Install the air intake hose.
15. Connect the vacuum hose, fuel hose and water hose.
16. Install breather hose.

Buy a gasket kit for the upper end. Remove the valve cover intake and exhaust manifolds. Remove the head bolts. Remove head and clean up block from old gasket material. Take the head to a machinist and make sure that it is not warped. If it is warped either replace the head with a new one or have it machined true. Install new gasket and get torque specs with new head bolts and follow torque sequence using the correct torque specs. Clean exhaust, intake and valve cover of old gaskets. install new gaskets and torque according to specifications.

From autozone.com:
To install:

1. Thoroughly clean the gasket mating surfaces. Remove all traces of old gasket material. Remove all carbon deposits from the combustion chambers. Lay a straightedge across the head and check for flatness. Total deviation should not exceed 0.001 in. (0.025mm).

The cylinder head gasket used on the 2.5L engine is a composition gasket. The gasket is to be installed dry. Do not use gasket sealing compound on the gasket.

1. Fabricate 2 cylinder head alignment dowels from 2 used cylinder head bolts. Cut the head of the longest bolt off below the hex head. Then cut a slot in the top of the dowel to allow easier removal with a screwdriver.
2. Install one dowel in bolt hole No. 10 and the other dowel in bolt hole No. 8.
3. Place the cylinder head gasket over the dowels with the numbers facing up.
4. Place the cylinder head over the dowels.
5. Coat the threads of bolt No. 7 only, with Loctite PST sealant or equivalent.
6. Install all head bolts except Nos. 8 and 10.
7. Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown in the illustration to the following:
   1. Tighten bolts 1 through 10 in sequence to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
   2. Tighten bolts 1 through 10 in sequence to 45 ft. lbs. (61 Nm).
   3. Recheck bolts 1 through 10 in sequence to verify that they are 45 ft. lbs. (61 Nm).
   4. Tighten bolts 1 through 6 in sequence to 110 ft. lbs. (149 Nm).
   5. Tighten bolt 7 to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
   6. Tighten bolts 8 through 10 to 110 ft. lbs. (149 Nm).
   
   

During the final tightening sequence, bolt No. 7 will be tightened to a lower torque than the rest of the bolts. Do not overtighten bolt No. 7.

1. Connect the temperature sending unit wire.
2. Install the spark plugs.
3. Install the compressor.
4. Install the compressor/alternator bracket mounting bolt.
5. Adjust the alternator drive belt.
6. Install the air conditioning compressor drive belt.
7. Install the intake and exhaust manifolds.
8. Install the power steering pump bracket.
9. Install the pushrods. Keep them in order!
10. Install the rocker arms. Keep them in order!
11. Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of the head and rocker cover and install as outlined earlier in this section.
12. Install the air cleaner.
13. Connect the hoses at the thermostat housing.
14. Connect the battery ground.
15. Fill the cooling system.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1C-LTC and 2CL-TC Engines
(see Figures 1 and 2)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove and label all electrical wiring, connectors and vacuum hoses necessary to gain removal clearance.

Fig. 1: Loosen and remove the cylinder head cover retaining nuts

1. Disconnect the PCV hose.
2. Remove the six nuts and seal washers from the cylinder head cover. Loosen them in a crisscross pattern.
3. Remove the cylinder head cover and the cover gasket from the cylinder head. Discard the gasket and replace with a new one.
   

To install:

1. With a wire brush or gasket scraper, remove all the old gasket material from the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover gasket surfaces.
2. When the cylinder head surfaces are free and clean, apply beads of sealant to the cylinder head in the locations shown in the accompanying illustration.

Fig. 2: Be sure to apply sealant on the cylinder head prior to cover installation

1. Install the new gasket in the cover. Make sure that the gasket seats evenly.
2. Place the cover with the gasket onto the cylinder head.
3. Install the six nuts and seal washers. Tighten the nuts to 65 inch lbs. (8 Nm).
4. Connect the PCV hose. Connect all removed vacuum hoses, connectors and electrical wiring. Connect the negative battery cable.
5. Start the engine and inspect for oil leaks. Repair any leaks as necessary.

Hope this help (remember comment and rated this).

You don't, not the head gasket anyway. You should always replace the gasket with a new one. You can use a cylinder head off one vehicle for another as long as it's the same engine. But have the head checked by a automotive machine shop prior to installation so it can be checked for cracks and warpage.

You need to remove the head(s) and have the head(s) checked for cracks and straightness, then install the head(s) with new head gaskets. Most head gasket manufactured are assembled dry, no sealants.