Re-torqued the heads today
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Re-torqued the heads today (Skippy Stone)
What kind of head bolts? ARPs usually don't need re-torque. Doesn't the copper gasket set as fast as the composites? I thought that most newer style gaskets were pre-squashed.
And the Copper is soft and does not have the type of memory that the composite gaskets are made of, meaning flex etc.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Re: Re-torqued the heads today (85vet)
My only question to you is - Are they NEW AFR heads. If they are, AFR recommends retorqueing and there tech recommends to do so before 250 miles. The effort is minimal if you have to pull the heads and replace the gasket due to walking (head loses contact with gasket). Call AFR and ask them if this happens, I know it does. Everyone told me not to retorque including engine builder, mechanic friend and Felpro. The key is are they NEW? Now I had to pull the heads and replace the gaskets and I almost have it ready to run.
I've heard about this walking problem with new heads (AFR or otherwise). But since my heads are a used set (which judging by their condition when I got them, probably had a lot of miles on them) with numerous heat-cycles under their belts, my guess is that they've probably already experienced all the creap/relaxation they are going to encounter, and that retorquing them won't make a difference.
Sorry to hear that you've had to rip into your engine again. Hopefully it works out for you this time around.
