Casey96SS

Just wondering if anyone has ever had problems with their head bolts getting loose?

I am in the process of disassembling my motor due to some white smoke and coolant use issue. This was after about 600 miles after a head and cam swap.

I have not had a chance to pull the heads yet but I checked the head bolts and I had 2 or 3 on each side that loosened up to about 50 or 55 ft-lbs. They were all shorter outer bolts. The inner ones were all still at 70.

I am running ARP head bolts properly torqued in stages and sequence to 70-ft lbs with ARP lube under the washer and bolt head. All head bolts had thread sealant on them. Head gasket is a VR .026".

Just wondering if this sounds like it could be a problem or if this is normal. I know the bolts could be retorqued after the engine has been run but this would be a big PITA to have to remove the headers and rockers. I am assuming most people do not retorque their head bolts.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Never had an issue, but never checked the torque, either. How do you know the outer bolts are at 50 to 55 ft lbs?

Casey96SS

Checked them all with my torque wrench. Saw a few maybe start to move at 50. 4 or 5 definitely moved at 55.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Difficult to say that would be the issue. Once you pull the head examine the head gasket carefully and see if it is blown and where. When you go to put the heads back on make sure you do not use sealant on the bolts that do not tap into water jackets. I think they are the front and back medium sized bolts IIRC. You can easily see which ones are and aren't. For those, apply a very minuscule amount of oil to the threads. I mean like a tiny dab. You don't want enough oil on the threads to seal any air from escaping when torquing the bolt down.

shbox

Maybe the holes weren't clean.

Lt1_donkeypunch

What brand torque wrench did you use to fasten them down?

Casey96SS

Sorry, forgot to add I cleaned the threads with a chasing tap and blew them out before putting the heads on.

Used a fairly new 1/2" drive Craftsman torque wrench. Obviously not top of the line, but I figured it would be okay. Planning on getting it tested or calibrated when I go to put the heads back on.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

I've had mine for about 15 years. Have done all my head swaps using that wrench with no issue. **** Snap On and their overly obnoxious prices.