Re-Torque the head gaskets question?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Re-Torque the head gaskets question? (tntcorvette)
I've always done my retorquing after driving it and allowing for a complete heat/cool cycle. Most of the time I just get a "click" but the few times I've gotten another turn made me glad I checked. Keep in mind that millions of factory engines are never retorqued and suffer no ill effects, even those that use compressible head gaskets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Re-Torque the head gaskets question? (Vetterodder)
yes, you should let it go thru at least one complete heat cycle. Diving it a bit first is even better. I just redid mine in july and was surprised to have some bolts turn again on retorque. Also try not to use an extension...that will give you false readings. And if anybody knows how to accurately torque the rear bottom bolt on the passenger side while the engine is in the car, please share it with us.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Re-Torque the head gaskets question? (ralph)
..... Also try not to use an extension...that will give you false readings.
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Lufkin tx
Re: Re-Torque the head gaskets question? (ralph)
Ralph, yes that is a tricky one. I first tried to use a deep socket. This was too short. I the tried a short 1/2" extension. This was too long. The only thing I could make fit was to use a 1/2" to 3/8"adaptor connected to a 3/8" to 1/2" adaptor. This will actually fit in the tight space. The torque wrench will have a limited travel, but it worked out OK for me. I retorqued the drivers side head after the first cool down, and kit did not need it, so I skipped on the passenger head. A few days later, after loosing some sleep, I decided to do the pass. side. This was after several warm up/cool downs. The bolts on it did not need it either. But, now I have peace-of-mind just knowing that they are OK :crazy:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
Likes: 11
From: somers, ny
Re: Re-Torque the head gaskets question? (KenSny)
Ken, i can tell you from experience, that using a long extention vs none gave me a different result. The long extension had noticable flex in it, and depending on how i crept up on the torque would yield different results when rechecked without the extention. At first i was using a 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor and a 3/8 extention for convienience, but quickly realized that there was way too much flex in that. So i decide to check the results with the long 1/2 extension as well. With the 1/2 extension, the result is probably within an acceptable range, but i torqued as many as i could w/o the extension.
Thnx for the tip on the multiple adaptors. Like you, i tried everything i had in the box and it was either too long or too short. The best i could do was a 3/8 deep socket with the 3/8 drive with a pipe on the end and just tighten it as much as i could from under the car.
Thnx for the tip on the multiple adaptors. Like you, i tried everything i had in the box and it was either too long or too short. The best i could do was a 3/8 deep socket with the 3/8 drive with a pipe on the end and just tighten it as much as i could from under the car.
