Bolt torque question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,154
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Bolt torque question
I planning to reinstall this anyway, but I wanted to ask here first -
I installed my new oil pan over the weekend, and torqued the bolts to the specs I had (minus the percentage for oil, per the Pocket Ref), but the gasket distorted around all the bolt holes, especially at the front of the engine. Is this typical, or did I over-torque the bolts?
I installed my new oil pan over the weekend, and torqued the bolts to the specs I had (minus the percentage for oil, per the Pocket Ref), but the gasket distorted around all the bolt holes, especially at the front of the engine. Is this typical, or did I over-torque the bolts?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Hixson Tn
Only thing I would suggest is to make sure you torqued it to the appropriate measurement, i.e. in. lbs and not ft. lbs. Like the timing chain cover is 30 IN. LBS which equates to I think 6 FT. LBS. I've overlooked this before and had a gasket squeeze out on me. I knew it didn't look right so I read the book one more time and noticed my error.
Chad
Chad
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
I think ATC may have it right, that you mistakenly torqued to ft-lbs instead of in-lbs. The gasket should not be squeezed out and distorted. It will leak. However, the conversion between the two measures is 1:12. Nevertheless, it doesn't usually help to do a conversion calculation, i.e., 30 in-lbs = 2.5 ft-lbs, and then use your torque wrench that is denominated in ft-lbs, because that wrench is not accurate at such a low setting. You really need a little 3/8 drive torque wrench that measures in in-lbs. Or get a new gasket, straighten out the pan flange, and do it over by just looking carefully to see the point at which you can tell the gasket is starting to compress and squeeze out a little. A little low-strength loc-tite (blue) on the threads will give you the peace of mind that they aren't coming out on their own, even tho they're not torqued down to beat hell. Good luck! 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,154
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Thanks for the replies. This confirms that it's overtorqued, but I believe the problem is that I put some light oil on the bolts before I installed them. I reduced the torque from 10 ft lbs to 6, but that was obviously too much. I already got a new gasket (the same 4 piece Fel-Pro), and I'll reinstall the pan with the bolts dry, and keep a closer eye on the gasket while I'm torquing it down.
