1998 Ford Escort REPLACEMENT

Remove air cleaner... Remove valve (rocker)cover... Remove old gasket .. clean surfaces .. install new gasket .. install valve (rocker) cover .. install air cleaner ... or if you mean the Headgasket ..?

CYLINDER HEAD
Removal
Disconnect negative battery cable. Release fuel pressure. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS . Remove air cleaner intake tube. Remove necessary vacuum hoses and electrical connectors. Disconnect speed control, accelerator and throttle valve actuating cables. Remove 2 speed control cable brackets, and position aside.
Disconnect fuel supply and return lines. Remove power steering pressure hose brackets. Remove accessory drive belt. Remove upper alternator bolt and rotate alternator forward. Remove oil level indicator tube. Disconnect EGR manifold tube from EGR valve and exhaust manifold. Remove exhaust manifold heat shield. Disconnect catalytic converter from exhaust manifold.
Raise and support vehicle. Drain coolant. Remove right side splash guard. Remove timing belt. See TIMING BELT . Unbolt A/C compressor and position aside. Loosen lower accessory drive bracket (do not remove). Lower vehicle. Remove upper accessory drive bracket. Remove A/C line bracket. Remove valve cover. Disconnect hose from thermostat housing. Remove cylinder head retaining bolts in sequence. See Fig. 2 . Remove cylinder head.
Fig. 2: Cylinder Head Bolt Loosening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Inspection
Ensure all mating surfaces are clean. Check cylinder block, cylinder head and manifold surfaces for warpage and cracks. See CYLINDER BLOCK and CYLINDER HEAD tables under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure crankshaft timing marks are aligned. See Fig. 4 . Position NEW cylinder head gasket on cylinder block. Install cylinder head using NEW cylinder head bolts. Tighten bolts in sequence to specification. See Fig. 3 . See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Fig. 3: Cylinder Head Bolt Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install timing belt. See TIMING BELT . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Fill or top off fluids. Start engine and check for leaks.