Head Re-Torque Question......
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Head Re-Torque Question......
I installed a set of Edelbrock RPM aluminum heads and have been running them for about 6 months. I used FelPro Perma-Torque/Blue copper wire ring gaskets. Should the heads be re-torqued? If so, should I back off on each bolt first then bring it to proper torque? I have found that it takes more torque just to overcome the frictional forces than the spec'd torque.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Head Re-Torque Question...... (KJL)
Not sure about using with aluminum heads,but with cast iron I was told by Fel-Pro to torque them and then "cold" re-torque them about 20 minutes later. That's all that was required.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Head Re-Torque Question...... (KJL)
I Re-torque my aluminum heads after a few heat cycles and then never touch them again.
I just set my click type wrench to what ever the value is and tighten the ones that are out. I would not loosen and reset. You also have to worry about breaking the threads seal to the water jacket. That's why I do it early on in a motors life before the thread sealer sets up. I'm also a firm believer in using studs instead of bolts.
[Modified by gkull, 10:27 AM 9/2/2003]
I just set my click type wrench to what ever the value is and tighten the ones that are out. I would not loosen and reset. You also have to worry about breaking the threads seal to the water jacket. That's why I do it early on in a motors life before the thread sealer sets up. I'm also a firm believer in using studs instead of bolts.
[Modified by gkull, 10:27 AM 9/2/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Head Re-Torque Question...... (KJL)
Yes, I had to pull my heads this February. It's only tight near the Brake can. I ended up pulling the whole motor anyway when I found out what was wrong.
If your going to do studs in the future have the machine shop blue print the block. So at the studs are in perfect alignment. I made the mistake years ago of studding a block and then you couldn't even put on the heads because the studs were leaning every which way.
If your going to do studs in the future have the machine shop blue print the block. So at the studs are in perfect alignment. I made the mistake years ago of studding a block and then you couldn't even put on the heads because the studs were leaning every which way.
