Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets?
I just got the heads back on the car last night and went for a drive. Now I think I am going to re-torque the head gaskets. I am using the Victor Reinz 5746 Nitroseal gaskets. I may also spray a small shot, so I think it would be worth the pain and effort to re-torque. What do you think?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 290
Likes: 4
From: Jax, FL
Re: Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets? (91tpi-zf)
Aren't the steel shim's the only ones you have to re-torque?
I thought the ones with the coating seals better than the shim's and that's why you don't have to re-torque?
I thought the ones with the coating seals better than the shim's and that's why you don't have to re-torque?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,611
Likes: 182
From: Toronto, Canada
Re: Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets? (91tpi-zf)
Curious as to what work was done to the heads? Is your set up the same except for some head work? It will interesting to see your what improvements you gain, good luck :cheers:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Re: Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets? (95vettski)
Well, the heads recieved some porting. The valve sizes were left the same as from AFR with 2.02 Intakes and 1.60 exhaust. The valve job was also left as sent from AFR. The roofs of the intake ports were raised approx 0.17" all the way back to the area beside the guide boss. The guide bosses were also slimmed down considerably. Port bias was also emphasized. The exhaust port roof was also raised, and the area around the guide boss enlarged. I used tips from LT401vette to do the heads. The intake runners now measure 208cc up from 190cc and the exhaust are now 71~72cc, up from 63cc. The chambers were slightly modified to unshroud the valves and spark plug. The grew 1.5cc from the porting. I then had the heads angle milled to 62CC chambers. This along with .026" head gaskets raised my compression to the neighborhood of 11.4:1. The car feels much better now. I did not get a chance to flow the heads, as no one around here has a flowbench (which I am considering investing in). I am anxious to find out how much difference all this made. Wish me luck :D
BTW: the AFR claims the intake runners were 70% CNC'd. Mine did not look like it. They bowl area looked good, but the guide bosses were hardly touched and about 50% of the runner was untouched.
BTW: the AFR claims the intake runners were 70% CNC'd. Mine did not look like it. They bowl area looked good, but the guide bosses were hardly touched and about 50% of the runner was untouched.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Should I re-torque my Head Gaskets? (No Go)
Absolutely retorque the heads, particularly if you are going to be spraying. I know it is a PITA, but it beats doing the heads again. When i did mine i was suprised at how much some of the bolts turned during the retorque. Also use the smallest extention possible (none if possible). I have founf the longer extentions have too much twist and affect your actual torque on the bolts.
Godd luck
Godd luck
