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Possible problem torquing heads??

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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 12:49 AM
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Default Possible problem torquing heads??

Hey guys, I was installing heads/cam tonight and everything went smoothly. The only thing that happened that concerned me is while torquing the heads I torqued all head bolts in order to 22lb/ft and then went thru and turned them all 90 degrees. then went through and torqued 1-8 another 90 degrees.

Then went I went to do the last two (9 and 10) to 50 degrees. Well the problem is, I was used to turning the bolt 90 degrees after doing so many, so instead of turning the first one 50 degrees, I probably turned it closer to 75-80 degrees. The rest I got turned to about 50 degrees, but that one is about 25 degrees too far. I just left that one that tight because I know that once I loosen it that bolt is ruined and I need a new one.


My question is, is this going to cause any problems? Are there any chances that I maybe damaged the threads or damaged something by going too tight with it??
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 05:24 AM
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Without knowing specifics of how the bolt is designed (material, etc.) and where it is on its load curve it would be hard to say exactly where you stand. However, if you used a GM gasket (pretty forgiving) I would finish assembly and leave the bolt alone unless you have an issue later. I wouldn't think it would lose preload from what you did. Just keep an eye on it.

Good luck.
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by vettenuts
Without knowing specifics of how the bolt is designed (material, etc.) and where it is on its load curve it would be hard to say exactly where you stand. However, if you used a GM gasket (pretty forgiving) I would finish assembly and leave the bolt alone unless you have an issue later. I wouldn't think it would lose preload from what you did. Just keep an eye on it.

Good luck.
Would there be any problem with removing the bolt, buying a new one from GM and torquing that bolt properly? It was one of the very last ones torqued and all the other bolts are torqued properly, so I wouldn't imagine pulling that one and replacing it with a properly torqued bolt would hurt anything?? Just for peace of mind?

Thx
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 09:49 AM
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Well actually, can you even buy single head bolts or do you have to buy the set?
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 10:45 AM
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I dont think you will have any problems. I had made a torque error last head removal and had to buy another bolt set. ARP's only way to go if you have any mods at all.
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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Actually they are torque to yield bolts so what you have done over torqued and stretched the bolt so I would remove it and start over with a new bolt.
You may have lost clamp load when the bolt stretched so why take a chance?
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 01:45 PM
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Why not just use a torque wrench?
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by All_Motor_C5LS6
Why not just use a torque wrench?
because the GM bolts are not torqued to a number of ft/lbs but are instead turned a specific number of degrees.
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 10:37 AM
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Alright, guys, I picked up a new bolt from GM, was like $2.50... Pulled the old bolt, cleaned the threads, installed the new bolt and torqued properly!

Thx
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by 98Redbird
Alright, guys, I picked up a new bolt from GM, was like $2.50... Pulled the old bolt, cleaned the threads, installed the new bolt and torqued properly!

Thx
What was the part #
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 12:13 PM
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Either replace all the bolts or leave it alone. If you try to replace the single bolt, the the torque pattern will be thrown off completely. Since you already stretched the other bolts, they would have to be replaced to get the proper sequence again. IMO, the torque pattern is more important than being off 30 degrees on 1 bolt.

If the bolt did not break, you should be fine. The bolt will most likely break before it strips the threads out. Because it is a torque to yeild application, the force that the threads in the block can hold should be higher than the ultimate strength of the bolt by design. This is why I always use factory bolts for torque to yeild applications. You never know if aftermarket bolts have the proper safety factor. Although, I'm not sure which one you would consider more of a pain - stripping the threads or having a bolt broken off in the block
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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With TTY bolts if you went too far, and then backed it off a bit would that ruin the clamping strength?
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by nullpointer
With TTY bolts if you went too far, and then backed it off a bit would that ruin the clamping strength?
Yes. The TTY bolts actually stretch when you torque them, so to back them off again would mean you're essentially removing that bolt so far as clamping forces are concerned.
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