I have the head off my 2008 HHR panel 2.2. Camshafts and rocker arms are out and kept in order . I want to turn the head over to do a water leak test on the valves which all look pretty good. My question is about the lifters (or cam followers). Will they drop out if the head is inverted? Should they, or can they, be removed first? Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

Al

 

I suggest removing them so they don’t fall on the floor. Just to be sure.
While you have the head off are you replacing the valve guide seals ?

 

Thanks Oldblue for the quick response. I will look into valve guide seals. Do the lifters have to go back into the same holes?

 

It would help. I would put them back in the same holes.
Internal combustion engines can be touchy with things like that.

 

Yes, I would put them back into the place they came out of.

 

When replacing timing components, do I need to replace crankshaft bolt? Torque to yield ?

 

Yes

 

And the camshaft sprocket bolts !

These bolts fasten the phasers to the camshafts

The timing chain guides and tensioner kit , for VVT 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 Ecotec, no camshaft sprockets

The balance shaft chain , guides and tensioner kit

Maybe install one of these, the front guide upper bolt replacement