Reinstalling Cylinder Head

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha All,

I just successfully reinstalled the cylinder head on my MG. I had a broken exhaust valve on one cylinder. My shop manual directs me to recheck the torque on the head nuts after reinstalling the head. When should I do this? I've run the engine up to operating temperature, for about a 20 minutes total and driven about 4 miles so far. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Safety Fast,
Dave

 

[mgtildth]

Drive the car for 500 miles, then re-torque.

 

[aeronca65t]

Good question, since many new-style gaskets do not require a retorque.
This article (see link) says that it should be done after bringing the car up to operating temp just once.

https://www.studdsey.fsnet.co.uk/mgbtunings.htm

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Nial,

Thanks for the advice and the link. Lots of good advice in that article. I guess that with new type head gaskets, one heating and cooling cycle more or less moves everything into position. I will still probably recheck it the next time I adjust the valve clearance.

Safety Fast,
Dave