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Torqued Head Bolt Out Of Order

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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 01:23 AM
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Default Torqued Head Bolt Out Of Order

I'm putting my heads on my ls1 block with an MLS .040 Cosmetic gasket and GM Bolts. I got the entire first sequence down (22 ft. lbs), then on the second pass when you have to torque them the 90 degrees, I did 1-6 good, but accidently skipped 7 . I did 8,9 then saw I missed 7 and did the 90 degrees on that then 10. Anyway, Will I still be ok or do I need to get all new bolts and do them again? If I do, can I still use the head gasket again since it wasn't heated up? Thanks
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 06:58 AM
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Never reuse the gasket once it has been torqued down and compressed. The head bolts are also torque to yield and shouldnt be reused.

Now whether or not you need to do it all over again I cant say for sure, but I would. Nothing like putting it all back together to find a leak.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 07:25 AM
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It should be fine, especially if the last step in the sequence was done correctly.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 08:51 AM
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Yea I would run it especially if that last step was correct like vettenuts said...
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 02:44 PM
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So the general consensus is I should be ok?
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 02:51 PM
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I am a firm believer in using a sequence in head bolt torquing. I have been involved in builds from stock to cup level stuff, and always used a sequence...
BUT...I watched the gearz episode where he went to GM's high performance engine assembly plant, and when they got to the head installation booth, there was this giant machine that you pulled down, and it torqued the entire head at once. No steps. No sequence. Nothing. Done.
If you were assembling a high compression race engine, then I'd be concerned. If I were you, I'd run it.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 02:59 PM
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Thanks guys, I feel alot better now. Anyone else feel free to add in if your opinions
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 03:05 PM
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Let her eat man... you'll be good
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 03:21 PM
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One bolt wont make a difference.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 03:24 PM
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The main concern is warping the head by uneven clamp. Usually a rule of thumb is starting in the middle and working outwards. By looking at the diagram, looks like you still met the intent. A head doesn't know which side you did first.



As discussed before, the machines do them at the same time because it creates an even clamping force. Since we only have 2 hands, we progressively work towards it.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by badazz81z28
The main concern is warping the head by uneven clamp. Usually a rule of thumb is starting in the middle and working outwards. By looking at the diagram, looks like you still met the intent. A head doesn't know which side you did first.



As discussed before, the machines do them at the same time because it creates an even clamping force. Since we only have 2 hands, we progressively work towards it.
Thats good to hear. I was also hoping it mattered a little less since I did the first pass correct, which was probably more important to get right than the second.
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Old Nov 25, 2012 | 08:27 PM
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It will be fine.
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Old Dec 7, 2012 | 11:33 PM
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I once over torqued a top center head bolt and snapped it off. I never replaced it and ran it in an ms3 cammed lq motor for almost a year without a single problem and the bolt twisted off in the block. Not advising it obvously but we all do stupid things and its not always the end of the world,
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Old Dec 10, 2012 | 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by GarrettM
I once over torqued a top center head bolt and snapped it off. I never replaced it and ran it in an ms3 cammed lq motor for almost a year without a single problem and the bolt twisted off in the block. Not advising it obvously but we all do stupid things and its not always the end of the world,
I've done the same , but with the #3 bolt and only ran it a few miles problem free, before I ordered the GM Head reapir kit and fixed the thread.
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