I've heard rumors of guys torquing their ARP head bolts 10-15 ft./lbs. more then what ARP recommends when they are using Cometic head gaskets to help prevent leakage. Any truth to this or do you guys just torque to what ARP recommends? The info I received from ARP said final toque specs are 70 ft./lbs. on the 11mm bolts and 23 ft./lbs. on the 8mm bolts using moly lube. Should I just go by these numbers or something else? Thanks for any help!

 

When I installed my heads with Cometic .040 gaskets, I used new stock bolts, and went by the recommended torque procedure for them. I have had no issues in about 8k miles. I would stick with ARPs recommendations for their fasteners.

 

Nobody else? Has anyone had problems with Cometics leaking when using ARP hardware?

 

Funny I saw this thread, I just posted the same thing over on pt.net
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for....php?p=3620516

My first time around I went 90ft-lb (15 over for the extra sealing, and 5 over for using 20-50 oil instead of moly lube). I've seen as much as 13 psi on my motor without any problems so far. I think I'll probably do close to the same this time too, but I'm gonna see what everyone says. I'll keep an eye on both threads.

 

I torqued my arp studs to 75 lbs with my cometics and they dont leak.

 

I just use a light coat of copper spray on mine and torque to ARP spec, checking them again the next day. Haven't had any problems with the two sets I've used.

 

I forgot to mention spray them with a coat or 2 of copper sparay on them too.

 

I didnt even coat them with the copper spray. It's been ~8k since then, all is well I had the deck SUPER clean though, I am sure that helps, or maybe I'm just lucky

 

Not lucky, you just did it right. The copper spray is not always needed, i do it just to ensure perfect seal since i dont like to reuse any gasket so i dont plan on uncompressing it unless im buying new gaskets. I know cometics are reusable but thats just my personal preference to only compress a gasket once.

 

I'd reuse a cometic with another layer of spray if I had some time on my hands to take the risk. A good amount of people do it with success.