Torquing Head Bolt sequence?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
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From: Bishop CA
Torquing Head Bolt sequence?
On installing a new set of Brodix Aluminum heads it says to torque bolts to 70ft-lb. in increments of 20 ft-lb. If memory serves me right isn't there usually a sequence that you follow when tightening. It also says to use a sealant on head bolt threads. Any body know what sequence if any and what is a good sealant? Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
There are guys who say 
but I have used RTV silicone sealent...the GE stuff from a caulking gun....the stinky vinegar smelling stuff...nothing water cleanup or paintable...they getting krazy on that term stuff these daze on the shelves.....or use the Locktite 5 bux for a tooth paste tube size RTV black same sealant from your auto store....
torque sequence is from middle of head out to each end....
so center bolt snug, top, bottom same toward one end, same bolts to other end, then continue on until done....
I lazy, snug down 2 taps in sequence with a 1/2" impact....then torque to full reading with a proper clicker torque wrench....50 freeking years...never a issue...YMMV.....
but I have used RTV silicone sealent...the GE stuff from a caulking gun....the stinky vinegar smelling stuff...nothing water cleanup or paintable...they getting krazy on that term stuff these daze on the shelves.....or use the Locktite 5 bux for a tooth paste tube size RTV black same sealant from your auto store....torque sequence is from middle of head out to each end....
so center bolt snug, top, bottom same toward one end, same bolts to other end, then continue on until done....
I lazy, snug down 2 taps in sequence with a 1/2" impact....then torque to full reading with a proper clicker torque wrench....50 freeking years...never a issue...YMMV.....
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,434
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Yup, like Gene said, start in the middle and work your way outward, like in a circular sequence getting bigger circles.
I always use 3 torque cycles: Half of specified torque, half again, then full torque. So I would torque all the bolts in sequence to 35, then 50, then 70 lbs-ft.
hth
I always use 3 torque cycles: Half of specified torque, half again, then full torque. So I would torque all the bolts in sequence to 35, then 50, then 70 lbs-ft.
hth
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
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From: gold coast queensland
i like gm stud sealer.here is a pic of the holden one we have here but the gm one is in the same sort of tin, actually i think this is the gm stuff just repackaged with the holden name on it. you dip your bolt in to the honey like sealer then once torqued down it sets hard. it is awesome stuff and i have never had a leak ever !....and i do not re-torque after the first heat cycle ( if its torqued properly with the pattern they do not come loose) the gm sealer can be hard to find at times so i have heard the arp stud sealer works well. also here is a pic of the torque pattern. i do it in 2 steps after putting all your bolts in fingertight with sealer. first at 35 then 70 for alloy heads and 75 for cast iron heads.
have a mate do it with you. hime dipping the sealer on and you doing the torque as its very easy to get lost where you up to in the sequence and be sure to go over every bolt at the end to be sure.
have a mate do it with you. hime dipping the sealer on and you doing the torque as its very easy to get lost where you up to in the sequence and be sure to go over every bolt at the end to be sure.
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Jan 11, 2011 at 12:36 AM.
