Cylinder Head Assembly: Service and Repair

An excessive oil consumption problem on 1987 Eagle models equipped with the 6-258 engine may be due to defective aluminum valve cover baffle seal. The baffle seal may allow oil to leak past the seal when the engine is operating. Valve covers with potential baffle seal leaks were used on 1987 engine built prior to engine build code 702C23. If excessive oil consumption was experienced and the engine was built prior to the above date code, replace valve cover.

Tighten cylinder head bolts a little at a time in three steps in the sequence shown in the illustrations. Final tightening should be to the torque specifications listed in the Engine Tightening table.
1. Drain cooling system and disconnect hoses at thermostat housing.
2. Remove air cleaner and disconnect fuel line and vacuum advance line.
3. Remove valve cover and gasket. During removal of valve cover, use a suitable putty knife or razor blade and break silicone seal between valve cover and cylinder head. Do not pry valve cover upward until seal has been completely broken.
4. Remove rocker arms and bridged pivot assemblies. Alternately loosen each cap screw one turn at a time to prevent damage to bridge. Label pushrods, rocker arms and bridge pivots so they can be installed in the same position.
5. Disconnect power steering pump and air pump and position pumps and brackets aside. Do not disconnect hoses from pumps.
6. Remove intake and exhaust manifold assembly from cylinder head.

Fig. 3 Cylinder head tightening sequence. The No. 11 bolt must be sealed to prevent coolant leakage.:

Fig. 4 Manifold tightening sequence:

7. On models equipped with A/C, remove A/C drive belt idler bracket from cylinder head. Loosen alternator drive belt, then remove alternator bracket to cylinder head mounting bolt. Remove bolts from compressor mounting bracket and position compressor aside.
8. Disconnect ignition wires and remove spark plugs.
9. Disconnect temperature sending unit wire and battery ground cable.
10. Remove ignition coil and bracket assembly.
11. Remove cylinder head bolts, cylinder head and gasket.
12. Reverse procedure to install. Torque cylinder head bolts in sequence shown in Fig. 3 and torque manifold bolts in sequence shown in Fig. 4.