head gasket CHEVROLET CAMARO 1982 Repair Guide

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 369
ROCKER ARM COVER
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
2.5L ENGINE

Fig. 1: Valve and pushrod covers for the 2.5L
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
3. Disconnect the throttle c able at the throttle body.
4. Remove the PCV valve from the cover.
5. Remove the spark plug wires from t he clips. Remove the clips from the
valve cover.
6. Remove the EGR valve. Loosen t he throttle body to gain clearance, as
required.
7. Remove the valve cover retaining bolts and remove the cover. Tap on
the valve cover with the palm of your hand or use a soft mallet to loosen.
To install: 8. Clean the sealing surface on cylinder head and intake manifold of all old
RTV or gasket. Make sure no oil or ol d gasket is present when applying
new RTV or gasket.
9. Place a
1/16 in. (5mm) bead of RTV sealan t all around the rocker arm
sealing surface or use a cork style gasket. (When going around the
attaching bolt holes, always flow t he RTV on the inboard side of the
holes).
10. Install cover and torque bolts to 8 ft. lbs. (11 Nm).
11. Finish installation by reversing removal procedure.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 370
2.8L AND 3.1L ENGINES

Fig. 2: Valve cover removal for the V6
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. For the left side valve cove r removal, proceed as follows:
a. Remove the accessory drive belt.
b. Remove the transmission dipstick, if required.
c. Remove the air management hose and air conditioning bracket, if
equipped.
d. Remove the intake plenum and throttle body assembly, on fuel
injected engines.
e. Remove the valve cover reinforcements and nuts.
3. For the right side valve cover removal, proceed as follows:
a. Remove the EGR valve adapter with the EGR valve and shield
from the exhaust manifold.
b. Remove the coil and coil mounting bracket from the cylinder head.
c. Disconnect the crankcase vent pipe.
d. Remove the intake plenum and throttle body assembly.
e. Remove the valve cover reinforcements and nuts.
4. Remove cover. If cover adheres to cylinder head, shear off by bumping end of rocker arm cover with palm of hand or rubber mallet. If cover still
will not come loose, CAREFULLY pry until loose. DO NOT DISTORT
THE SEALING FLANGE.
To install: 5. Clean the sealing surface on cylinder head and intake manifold of all old
RTV or gasket. Make sure no oil or ol d gasket is present when applying
new RTV or gasket.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 373

Fig. 6: Removing the valve cover gasket
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner, if necessary.
3. To remove the right side valv e cover, perform the following:
a. Through 1988: Disconnect the EG R solenoid transfer tube from
the plenum. Remove the coil and mounting bracket from the
cylinder head. Remove the plenum, runners and throttle body
assembly on tuned port injected models. Remove the valve cover
retainers and nuts. Remove the valve cover.
b. 1989-1992 vehicles: Remove the EGR pipe assembly, if
necessary. Unplug the electrical connections and wiring
harnesses as necessary. Label and disconnect the spark plug
wires from the distributor. Remo ve the crankcase vent hoses and
valves. Remove the coil. Remove the AIR control valve, check
valve, pipes and hoses. Remove t he valve cover bolts and remove
the cover.
4. To remove the left side valve cover, perform the following:
a. Through 1988: Remove the air management hose, if equipped.
Remove the plenum and throttle body assembly on tuned port
injected models. Remove the air conditioning bracket. Remove the
valve cover reinforcements and nuts. Remove the valve cover.
b. 1989-1992 vehicles: Unplug the electrical connections and the
wiring harnesses, as necessary . Remove the alternator and
disconnect the crankcase hoses and the PCV valve. Remove the
valve cover bolts and remove the valve cover.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 374
5. If cover adheres to cylinder head,
shear off by bumping end of rocker
arm cover with palm of hand or rubber mallet. If cover still will not come
loose, CAREFULLY pry until loose. DO NOT DISTORT THE SEALING
FLANGE.
To install: 6. Clean the sealing surface of cyli nder head and intake manifold of all old
RTV or gasket. Make sure no oil or ol d gasket is present when applying
new RTV or gasket.
7. Place a
1/8 in. (3mm) bead of RTV sealan t all around the rocker arm
sealing surface or use a cork style gasket. (When going around the
attaching bolt holes, always flow t he RTV on the inboard side of the
holes).
8. Install cover and torque bolts to 8 ft. lbs. (11 Nm).
9. Finish installation by reversing removal procedure.
PUSHROD SIDE COVER
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
2.5L ENGINE 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Mark and remove the distributor assembly.
3. Remove the ignition coil and bracket.
4. Remove the side cover retaining nuts and remove the cover.
To install: 5. Clean the cover sealing surfaces of all RTV or gasket material.
6. Place a
1/16 in. (5mm) bead of RTV sealan t all around the rocker arm
sealing surface or use a cork style gasket. (When going around the
attaching bolt holes, always flow t he RTV on the inboard side of the
holes).
7. Install cover and torque bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
8. Finish installation by reversing removal procedure.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 386
FUEL INJECTION

1. Remove the air cleaner.
2. Drain the radiator.
3. Disconnect: a. Battery cables at the battery.
b. Upper radiator and heater hoses at the manifold.
c. Crankcase ventilation hoses as required.
d. Fuel line at the carburetor.
e. Accelerator linkage.
f. Vacuum hose at the distributor, if equipped.
g. Power brake hose at the car buretor base or manifold, if
applicable.
h. Temperature sending switch wires.
4. Remove the distributor cap and scribe the rotor position relative to the
distributor body, and engine.
5. Remove the distributor.
6. If applicable, remove the alternator upper bracket. As required, remove
the air cleaner bracket, and accelerator bellcrank.
7. Remove the manifold-to-head attachi ng bolts, then remove the manifold
and carburetor as an assembly.
8. Mark and disconnect all emission re lated items (e.g.: wiring, vacuum
hoses, etc.) which are connected to manifold mounted items.
9. If the manifold is to be replaced , transfer the carburetor (and mounting
studs), water outlet and thermostat (use a new gasket) heater hose
adapter, EGR valve (use new gasket) and, if applicable, TVS switch(s)
and the choke coil.
To install: 10. Before installing the manifold, thoroughly clean the gasket and sealing
surfaces of the cylinder heads and manifold.
11. Install the manifold end seals, folding the tabs if applicable, and the
manifold/head gaskets, using a s ealing compound around the water
passages.
Make sure that the new manifold gaskets match the old ones EXACTLY.
12. When installing the manifold, care should be taken not to dislocate the
end seals. It is helpful to use a pilo t in the distributor opening. Tighten the
manifold bolts to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm) for 5.0L or 20-25 ft. lbs. (27-34 Nm)
for 2.8L in the sequence illustrated.
13. Install the distributor with the rotor in its original location as indicated by
the scribe line. If the engi ne has been disturbed, refer to the previous
Distributor Removal and Installation procedure.
14. If applicable, install the alter nator upper bracket and adjust the belt
tension.
15. Connect all disconnected components at their original locations.
16. Fill the cooling system, start the engine, check for leaks and adjust the
ignition timing and carburetor idle speed and mixture.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 387
TBI EQUIPPED 5.0L ENGINE
1982-1983 CROSSFIRE FUEL INJECTION MODELS

Fig. 7: Crossfire inje ction upper plenum and gasket
1. Disconnect the negative batte ry cable at the battery.
2. Remove the air cleaner assembly.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Disconnect the fuel inlet line.
5. Remove the exhaust gas re circulation (EGR) solenoid.
6. Disconnect the wiring fr om the idle air motors, injectors, and the throttle
position sensor (TPS).
7. Disconnect the fuel return line at the rear TBI unit.
8. Remove the power brake booster line.
9. Disconnect the accelerator and crui se control cables, unbolt the cable
bracket from the manifold and tie t he cable and bracket assembly out of
the way.
10. Disconnect the positive crankcase vent ilation valve hose at the manifold
and move the hose aside.
11. Mark and disconnect any vacuum hoses which will interfere with removal of the manifold.
12. If you plan on removing the TBI units from the upper manifold plate, remove the fuel balance tube (connec ting the units) at this time.
13. Remove the bolts which attach the upp er manifold plate (or TBI plate) to
the intake manifold. Lift the TBI and plate assembly off of the intake
manifold.
14. Remove the distributor as previously outlined.
15. Disconnect the upper radiator hos e from the thermostat housing.
16. Disconnect the heater hose fr om the intake manifold.
17. Remove the intake manifold-to- cylinder head bolts and lift the intake
manifold assembly off of the engine.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 388
To install:
18. Clean the sealing surfaces.
19. Install the gaskets and apply a
3/16 in. (5mm) bead of RTV sealant on the
front and rear ridge of the cylinder case.
20. Hold the gaskets in place by ex tending the RTV bead up onto the gasket
ends. Use sealer at the water passages.
21. Position the intake manifold as sembly onto the engine and install the
intake manifold-to-cylinder head bolts. Torque bolts in sequence to 25-45
ft. lbs. (34-61 Nm).
22. Connect the heater hose to the intake manifold.
23. Connect the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing.
24. Install the distributor.
25. Position the TBI and plate assembly on the intake manifold with a new
gasket. Install the bolts which attach the upper manifold plate (or TBI
plate) to the intake manifold and torque to specification.
26. If the TBI units on CFI engines were removed, install the fuel balance
tube (connecting the units).
27. Connect vacuum hoses which were disconnected for removal of the manifold.
28. Connect the positive crankcase ventilation valve hose.
29. Install the cable bracket to the m anifold and connect the accelerator and
cruise control cables.
30. Install the power brake booster line.
31. Connect the fuel return line at the TBI unit.
32. Connect the wiring to the idle air motors, injectors, and the throttle
position sensor (TPS).
33. Install the exhaust gas re circulation (EGR) solenoid.
34. Connect the fuel inlet line to the TBI unit.
35. Install the air cleaner assembly.
36. Connect the negative battery cable at the battery.
37. Fill the cooling system.
38. Start the engine and check for leaks.

Fig. 8: Crossfire fuel injection intake manifold bolt torque sequence

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 391
8. Remove the plenum attaching bolts and plenum. Discard the gaskets.
9. Remove the fuel rail.
10. Label and unplug the wires
from the spark plugs.
11. Label and unplug the wires at the coil.
12. Remove the distributor cap and spark plug wires.
13. Mark the distributor position and remove it.
14. Label and disconnect the emission canister hoses.
15. Remove the valve covers.
16. Remove the upper radiator hose at the manifold.
17. Unplug the coolant switch and sensor.
18. Remove the heater inlet pipe from the manifold.
19. Remove the center intake manifold bolts.
20. Remove the center intake mani fold and gasket. Discard the gasket.
21. Remove the transmission dipstick.
22. Remove the manifold bolts.
23. Remove the manifold. Discard t he gaskets and remove the RTV sealant
from the front and rear ridges of the block.
To install: 24. Apply a
3/16 in. (5mm) bead of RTV sealant on the front and rear ridges of
the block. Make sure the surfaces are clean.
25. Install the new gaskets on the cylinder heads. Hold the gaskets in place by extending the RTV bead up onto t he gasket ends. Certain GM intake
gaskets will have to be cut to be install behind the pushrods. Cut these
gaskets as required and only where necessary.
26. Install the intake m anifold along with the intake manifold bolts. Torque
bolts in sequence to 13-25 ft. lbs. ( 18-34 Nm) on 2.8L engines and 19 ft
lbs. (26 Nm) on 3.1L engines.
27. Install the center intake manifold with a new gasket. Tighten the bolts to
15 ft lbs. (21 Nm).
28. Connect the coolant switches.
29. Install the upper radiator hose.
30. Install the valve covers.
31. Install the heater inlet pipe.
32. Connect the emission canister hoses.
33. Install the distributor to the matc hmarks, hold down bolt, spark plug wires
and distributor cap.
34. Install the spark plug wires to th e spark plugs and connect the wires at
the coil.
35. Install the fuel rail.
36. Install the plenum with new gaskets . Tighten the bolts to 18 ft lbs. (25
Nm) on 2.8L engines or 15 ft lbs. (21 Nm) on 3.1L engines.
37. Install the A/C compressor-to-plenum bracket and attaching hardware.
38. Install the EGR transfer tube with a new gasket. Tighten the bolts to 19 ft
lbs. (26 Nm).
39. Install the throttle body.
40. Connect the vacuum harness and ai r inlet duct to the throttle body.
41. Install the transmission dipstick.
42. Connect and other rema ining hoses or wires.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 393
8. Label and unplug the spark
plug wires at the cap.
9. Mark the distributor position and remove it.
10. Unplug the injector wiring harness.
11. Remove the left side runner-to-plenum bolts.
12. Remove the left side runner-to-manifold bolts.
13. Remove the right side runner-to-plenum bolts.
14. Remove the right side runner-to-manifold bolts.
15. Remove the EGR solenoid, if necessary.
16. Remove the right side manifold-to-runner bolt.
17. Remove the plenum, right side runners and gaskets. Discard the gaskets.
18. Remove the left side manifold-to-runner bolt.
19. Remove the left side runners and gaskets. Discard the gaskets.
20. Disconnect the upper radiator hos e from the thermostat housing.
21. Remove the EGR valve, if necessary.
22. Unplug any other electrical or hose connections, as necessary.
23. Remove the intake manifold bolts.
24. Remove the intake manifold and gaskets. Discard the gaskets.
To install: 25. Apply a
3/16 in. (5mm) bead of RTV sealant on the front and rear ridges of
the block. Make sure the surfaces are clean.
26. Install the new gaskets on the cylinder heads. Hold the gaskets in place by extending the RTV bead up onto the gasket ends.
27. Install the intake manifold.
Sealing of the intake mani fold to the "V" of the engine is obtained by employing
an intermediate torque specification to a ll the attaching bolts, alternately, in the
proper sequence. This step is used to rock the manifold into place before
applying the final torque figur e. Failure to follow this two-step procedure can
result in possible leaks.
28. Install the intake manifold attach ing bolts. Tighten them, using the proper
sequence, to 89 in lbs. (10 Nm).
29. Final torque the bolts, using the proper sequence, to 35 ft lbs. (47 Nm\
).
30. Install the EGR valve using a new gasket.
31. Connect the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing.
32. Install new gaskets on the runner s and intake manifold. Make sure the
gasket sealing surfaces are clean.
33. Install the left side runners and finger-tighten the runner-to-manifold
bolts.
34. Install the left side manifold-to-runner bolt. Torque to 25 ft lbs. (34 Nm).
35. Install the right side runners. Fi nger-tighten the runner-to-manifold and
manifold-to-runner bolts.
36. Install the plenum and t he runner-to-plenum bolts.
37. Tighten the runner-to-manifold bolts to 25 ft lbs. (34 Nm). Start in the
center and work outwards.
38. Tighten the right side manifold-to -runner bolt to 25 ft lbs. (34 Nm).

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 397

Fig. 6: Removing the exhaust manifold
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner on carbureted engines.
3. If applicable, remove the ai r cleaner pre-heater shroud.
4. Disconnect the air injecti on reaction pipes, if equipped.
5. Unplug the oxygen sensor connector.
6. Label and unplug the spark plug wires.
7. Remove the spark plug wire heat shields, if equipped.
8. Remove any components which may interfere with removal.
9. Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold and hang it from the
frame out of the way.
10. On some engines, it will be necessary to bend the locktabs from the bolt.
Remove the end bolts, then the center bolts. Remove the manifold.
A thin wall 6-point socket, sharpened at the leading edge and tapped onto the
head of the bolt, simplifies bending the locktabs.
To install:
11. Make sure the mating surfaces are clean.
12. Install a new gasket, if applicable.
13. Position the exhaust manifold onto the engine. Torque the attaching bolts
to:
• 1982-1992 V6 engines: 25 ft lbs. (34 Nm)
• 1982-1992 V8 engines: 26 ft lbs. (35 Nm)
14. Bend the locktabs over the bolts.
15. Connect the exhaust pipe to the manifold.