Heads installed, do pressurize the cooling system now?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Heads installed, do pressurize the cooling system now?
Ok guys I need some quick advice. As many of you know My BB over heated and warped the aluminum heads. I tried just putting a head gasket on before I knew they were warped and I was still getting water out the #3 plug hole when system was pressurized. After taking both heads to the shop and having them cleaned, checked and surfaced .010 I have installed them back on the car , adjusted the valves , installed the intake And filled the coolant system.
Do I preassurize the cooling system now and check for leaks? Just want to make sure I do the right things in order. Will Pressurizing the coolant system with out a heat cycle cause any issues? the system should hold pressure now if everything is ok correct? Everything is torqued to spec so I would think not but I wont to make sure.
Thanks
Wade
Do I preassurize the cooling system now and check for leaks? Just want to make sure I do the right things in order. Will Pressurizing the coolant system with out a heat cycle cause any issues? the system should hold pressure now if everything is ok correct? Everything is torqued to spec so I would think not but I wont to make sure.
Thanks
Wade
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Button everything up and fire it up. Look for any leaks. After it gets to operating temp and the thermostat opens, see if you need to add any coolant [or not]. Then shut it down. After it cools off, recheck the torque on the head bolts and tighten till back in spec, if needed. Don't back off the bolts, just tighten with a torque wrench up to spec. The bolts may or may not move.
Every week or so, check for any leaks again; and after a month do the re-tighten thing on the heads. If no surprises at that point, you should be good for the long haul. It is not surprising that you get a bit of "relaxation" of the bolt torque on an aluminum/steel assembly early on. If you find that there is significant loss of bolt torque after one month, you probably need to put some thread locking material on the head bolts.
Every week or so, check for any leaks again; and after a month do the re-tighten thing on the heads. If no surprises at that point, you should be good for the long haul. It is not surprising that you get a bit of "relaxation" of the bolt torque on an aluminum/steel assembly early on. If you find that there is significant loss of bolt torque after one month, you probably need to put some thread locking material on the head bolts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
depends on the product used on the head bolt threads; regardless, i won't retorque an al head - invitation for leaks; just be sure to use good moly under the bolt heads and torque evenly
if using a sealer rather than a teflon paste, procedure changes somewhat
if using a sealer rather than a teflon paste, procedure changes somewhat
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Check it weekly to look for 'early' leaks. I've always retorqued (never any counter-clockwise action) to adjust for torque 'creep' on alum-steel combinations; but others never do. So, if it doesn't leak, do what you think is best. 
