Retorqueing Composite Headgaskets.

[BOOT]

Clean threads, oil/lube/sealer or w/e you use and the washer/head surface are all factors https://youtu.be/skvJHh-7i70

Aluminum creeps/squishes and threads fail.

I've slapped stuff together w/o a care and been fine OR took extra steps of prep n did everything right(I thought at the time not understanding all the factors) to only have leaks.

I like ARP's thread chaser but it does seem to make the threads a bit looser or maybe it's just all the rust n old sealer being removed?

[digger]

IMO You dont need a fancy torque wrench for head bolts/ studs

Agreed- but I have to do better than +-10lbs.

Unless you get the crappiest PRC one then you’ll be good

[fabr]

Can you self calibrate a clicker wrench by using a digital inline torque indicator as linked in a vise? Set the electronic T/W to 100lbs and sneak up on it with the clicker adjustment.

I do the opposite. I set the torque wrench ,give it a pull and see what the digital indicator shows. Adjust the clicker till the indicator reads the required torque.
I find it to be reliable and repeatable +-1 lb. ft.

[Belgian1979]

I now have the snapon 3/8 electronique torque wrench. Good tool, easy to work with and quite honestly the best tool I've bought...but expensive. The neat thing is that I can switch from lbs/ft to inch/ft to nm etc back and forth without a problem and then also can do angle setups. The led lights also come in handy.

Never retorqued a head gasket though. I always have some fear of backing the bolt up once it has been torqued and then retorquing. I do always check that I have every bolt up to spec.

[Tom68]

Never retorqued a head gasket though. I always have some fear of backing the bolt up once it has been torqued and then retorquing. I do always check that I have every bolt up to spec.

You don't have to backup, if you don't you're just confirming nothings loose, you aren't really retorquing.

[BCjohnny]

Buy a decent quality 'low tech' beam wrench and if you don't use it directly torquing fasteners it can be used to check the calibration of your sexier click stop or digital wrenches, so you know if they're wandering on calibration

Done it that way for years

If you need something more accurate be best to send it out for calibration, or pick up one of those (expensive) dedicated checking meters


I still don't get this overly fascination with digital stuff ...... click stops are simpler, work well enough and don't wander much if you back them off in storage

[dfarr67]

Just picked up a used Proto 1/2in 30-150 for 50cdn. To service and calibrate is 75cdn. For the amount I plan on using it- just cannot justify the big bucks (I wanted a PI split beam flex head 350cdn) and don't like the off brands.

[bentvalves]

I know this is a subject beat to death.

Most companies will tel you that there is no need but, I re-torque them anyway.

does this go for any HG type/composition in any high performance deal?

[Schurkey]

Nevermind.

[dfarr67]

I know this is a subject beat to death.

Most companies will tel you that there is no need but, I re-torque them anyway.

does this go for any HG type/composition in any high performance deal?

Well- that is how I found a problem......