Cylinder Head
Cylinder Head and Head Gasket Installation
This guide is preserved from Clark's Garage, a foundational 944 resource. View the original →
Tools you'll need
- P229 / 9201 Camshaft Holding Tool
- Porsche 9216 Timing Belt Locking Tool
- Porsche 9219 Balance Shaft Locking Tool
- VAG 1669 / KTS 500 DME Diagnostic Adapter
- Durametric / Foxwell NT630+ Durametric Diagnostic Software
- Bosch / OTC Fuel Pressure Gauge — 0–6 bar
- Various Coolant Pressure Tester
- Fluke 117 / Klein MM400 Digital Multimeter (4000+ count)
- Various Torque Wrench — 10–130 Nm
See the full tools list for where to buy each one and budget alternatives.
Torque specifications
General fastener torques (used where a specific value isn’t called out) plus the head-area fasteners. For the cylinder-head bolt tightening sequence by engine, see the dedicated torque-sequence guide.
| Fastener | Size | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| General — 6 mm fastener | 6 mm | 8 Nm (6 ft-lb) |
| General — 8 mm fastener | 8 mm | 20 Nm (15 ft-lb) |
| General — 10 mm fastener | 10 mm | 40 Nm (29 ft-lb) |
| Front cylinder-head Allen bolts | M8 (6 mm head) | 20 Nm (15 ft-lb) |
| Exhaust manifold nuts | — | 20 Nm (15 ft-lb) |
Tools
- Jack Stands or Ramps
- 6 mm Allen Head Socket
- Metric Socket Set
- Metric Wrench Set
- Torque Wrench
Other Procedures Needed
- CYL-03, Cylinder Head Tightening Sequence and Torque Specifications
- FUEL-09, Intake Manifold Removal and Installation
- CAM-02, Camshaft Assembly Installation
- FUEL-02, Fuel Injector and Fuel Rail Removal and Installation
- ENG-06, Camshaft and Balance Shaft Belt Installation
- ENG-10, Camshaft and Balance Shaft Belt Tension - Checking and Adjusting
- AF-01, Air Filter Housing and Air Flow Sensor - Removal and Installation
- IGN-01, Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement
- COOL-02, Coolant System Draining, Filling, and Venting
Parts
| Head Gaskets | Part Numbers |
| 924 (77-82) | 931 104 337 06 |
| 924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944S (87-88) | 944 104 374 14 |
| 924T (80-82) | 944 104 337 03 |
| 944T (86-88) | 951 104 374 02 |
| Cam Housing Gaskets | - |
| 924 (77-82) | 060 198 025 |
| 924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944T (86-88) | 944 105 199 03 |
| 924T (80-82) | 060 198 025 A |
| 944S (87-88) | 928 104 447 09 |
| Intake Manifold Gaskets | - |
| 924 (77-82) (1) | 047 133 227 |
| 924S (87-88), 944 (83-88), 944T (86-88) (4) | 944 110 163 05 |
| 924T (80-82) (4) | 931 110 147 00 |
| 944S (87-88) (1) | 944 110 305 02 |
| Exhaust Manifold Gaskets | - |
| 924 (77-82) (4) | 048 129 589 A |
| 924S (87-88), 944 (85.5-88), 944T (86-88) (4) | 944 111 196 00 |
| 944 (83-85.5) (4) | 928 111 193 12 |
| 924T (80-82) (4) | 931 111 191 00 |
| 944S (87-88) (4) | 944 111 205 00 |
Procedure
If not specified apply the following fastener torque specs.
| Size | Torque |
| 6 mm | 8 Nm (6 ft-lbs) |
| 8 mm | 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs) |
| 10 mm | 40 Nm (29 ft-lbs) |
-
Ensure that the mating surface on the cylinder head and block are clean. Remove all old gasket material and deposits. Be careful if using a scraper as it can easily gouge the aluminum surfaces of the head and block. Minor scratches can be remove with emery cloth or steel wool. Deep gouges will require machining to keep the mating surfaces level. In the case of the block this could require removing the engine from the car and removing the head studs.
-
Place the new head gasket on the block..
NOTE ( from Tim Richards )
I’ve never tried it personally but, Tim Richards suggests removing the cylinder head with the exhaust manifolds still attached. According to Tim, it saves a couple hours of work. The cylinder head can also be installed with the exhaust manifolds attached. Thanks for the suggestion Tim.
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Install the cylinder head onto the block.
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Install the two M8 Allen head bolts (6 mm head) at the front of the cylinder head. Tighten the bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).1. Coat the head stud threads with a light film of engine oil. Do not use anything other than engine oil.
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Install all head stud nuts finger tight and then torque in three steps to the appropriate torque for your engine. Refer to CYL-03 for appropriate torque specs for your vehicle and tightening pattern.
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Connect the coolant hose at the back of the cylinder head going to the heater control valve.
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Connect the coolant outlet hose at the front of the cylinder head.
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Place the exhaust manifold in position in the car.
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Install the exhaust manifold studs and retaining nuts to secure the exhaust manifolds to the head. Torque the exhaust manifold nuts to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).
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Using FUEL-09, install the intake manifold.
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Using CAM-02, install the camshaft assembly.
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Using FUEL-02, install the fuel rail and injectors.
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Using the appropriate sections of ENG-06 and ENG-10, install and tension the camshaft belt.
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Install the front timing covers.
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Using AF-01, install the air filter housing and air flow sensor.
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Using IGN-01, install the rotor and distributor cap.
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Route coil wire to the distributor and plug wires from the distributor to the spark plugs.
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Using COOL-02, fill and vent the coolant system.
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Reconnect battery leads.
NOTE
After the engine has been run at normal operating temperature, the exhaust manifold retaining nuts should be checked and re-torqued as necessary.