Head bolt retorque technique

[buickboy]

About to put my heads back on and intend to retorque the head bolts after letting intial torque set overnight. Last time i did not loosen the bolts, but just checked that the value was still good. What do most guys do that is sucessful. ARP head bolts with molly under head and washer, PST sealer on the threads, steel gaskets.
Mitch

 

[6=8]

TTT
(I want to know too!)

 

[FJM568]

Loosen 1 bolt about a half turn and then re-torque it to spec...Then move to the next one...I'm not actually sure about the order but it wouldn't hurt to go in the order sequence that the factory calls out for...

If they a brand new bolts, you may want to do this about 3 times...

Looking at your post again, I'm not sure about re-torqueing the head bolts with the steel shim gaskets...You may want to post another question with that in the topic line...

 

[Nick Micale]

What Jim said is good, however we back off only 1/4 turn. No big deal, BUT you must loosen or it does no good to re-torque.

Steel shim gaskets are a MUST for re-torque cold, and again after a couple heat cycles. Pain to move the headers, but better than a water leak.