re-tighten stretch bolts?

[johnnybronco]

I did a head gasket job on mt B2 a while back and now I'm wondering if the head bolts are a little loose. They are the stretch bolts, so I'm wondering if there is some trick to tightening these, or if I need new bolts or what?

 

[daniel3507]

Did you re use the old bolts? If so you probably need new headbolts. You should always go with new ones when the heads come off.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Generally you don't reuse torque-to-yield bolts.

 

[johnnybronco]

No, I got new bolts, but I never re-tightened them. I figure better late than never.

 

[kcm1582]

If they were installed properly then there should be no reason that they need to be retightened.

 

[johnnybronco]

Well, the manuals and books say to re-tighten after you've run the engine and I never did

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well, the manuals and books say to re-tighten after you've run the engine and I never did

I I have never delt with TTY bolts before, but with the old ones it is always a good idea to retighten after running.

If the book/instructions say to do it, do it.

 

[shane96ranger]

If they were installed properly then there should be no reason that they need to be retightened.

I agree. This is my understanding as well.

 

[johnnybronco]

So, as I recall, I take the valve covers off and the bolts are right there. Do you think I can just re-use the valve cover gaksets and add a little more silicon sealant when I put them back on?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Ummm no, you DO NOT re torque TTY head bolts.

The spec is 22 ft lbs then 55 ft lbs then turn 90 degrees. There is no final torque value, just a 90 degree turn from 55 ft lbs. There is no way to re torque them. They have been stretched. Leave them alone.

 

[johnnybronco]

75 ft. lbs? My Haynes manual says 51-55 ft. lbs. and then 90 degrees. Where is your info coming from?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Whooops...sorry bout that was looking at the NM column, not the FT LBS.

First step is 22 ft lbs, second is 55 ft lbs, then 90 degrees!

And my info comes right out of Ford workshop manuals.

Anyways....still no way nor need to retorque them.

 

[Toms01PSD]

75 ft. lbs? My Haynes manual says 51-55 ft. lbs. and then 90 degrees. Where is your info coming from?

Is your Haynes manual also telling you to re-tighten Torque-to-Yield bolts? That's a big no-no. They are one time use bolts.

 

[johnnybronco]

Thanks for the info guys. I will leave the bolts as they are. The manual does not say to re-tighten them - I just read it carefully this time. Now I just have to figure out why I'm getting water in my oil.

 

[shane96ranger]

If it IS a head gasket, re-torquing head bolts wouldn't be the way to go about it. If they leak, the gaskets need to be replaced.

As far as finding the culprit, have you checked into the intake manifold gaskets?