Re-Torquing my Head Gasket.......

[Guest]

I installed my newly ground head at 70 lbs. of torque using new ARP chrome-moly head bolts. After about 100 miles I re-torqued the head to 75 lbs. but think I should have done more. I now have about 300 more miles on the engine and I would like to try retorquing again to at least 80 lbs. I don't know if I am be paranoid or what but there seems to be a little wetness (can't tell if it is oil or coolant), very little, on the plug side of the head. I did lay a very fine bead of sealant around the coolant passages in this area only, not around the cylinders of course. What is the consensus with head bolt torque, considering the type of bolts I have, the fact that the head has been shaved (9.5:1 comp) and the fact that I am paranoid.

Bill

 

[swift6]

If your paranoid, go ahead but most modern head gaskets, including new TR6 gaskets do not require re-torquing at all. At least that what manufacturers say. Though they also say it shouldn't hurt as long as you don't over torque and hurt your fasteners.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

Bill, what did ARP recommend for the torque? And, what did you use for lube on the threads prior to torquing them? Torquing past the recommended value will stretch the fastener and actually cause the clamping force to be <u>less</u> than a properly installed bolt, or stud and nut combination.
Jeff

 

[vettedog72]

In December, after replacing the head for the second time (1976 was the first re install) I used the same old OEM studs washers and nuts. I am not recommending that practice, just that it has heldup under testing with 4 dyno runs at 5500 RPM so far. The replacement made in 1976 using the OEM bolts held well and were removed this December only because the engine was freshened up after 65K miles.

 

[ALLAN]

Bill, There would not be any reason to go further, you have retorqued it to 75 that should do it, anymore leaks would probably indicate a small problem. Before my rebuild I was running 10.0--1, head torqued to 70 and no extra sealant and no leakage. However this time I did use some sealant like you did---hope I have no leakage