Just got finished installing my LE2 heads. I am using ARP bolts with ARP lube , Impala head gaskets all torqued to 60# like ARP states.

I am aware that re-torqeing head bolts is a very good thing, I also understand that getting the lower 7 bolts requires pulling headers which I am not looking forward too down the road. My future of working on cars is coming to a halt with twins coming in less than a month.

I want to know if these are options worth considering:

1. Just torque to 65# now and go with it.
2. Loosen each bolt one by one and torque to 65#.

Any other better sugestions?

Thanks

 

Fel-Pro started making gaskets a long time ago that do not require retorquing. I think most modern gaskets are the same way. I can't remember the last time I retorqued a head.

 

That is comforting, I have always wondered how GM as well as others get away with it on new motors.

 

I wouldn't retorque them either. If you put thread sealant on the bolts like you're supposed to you stand a chance of breaking the seal when you retorque them.

 

I don't retorque a head ever either.

 

I am old and set in my ways. I know it's not needed, yet I do it unless it's a complete PITA to get to the bolts, like on the Camaro!

Rich

 

I was thinking the exact same thing about the sealant, does that ARP stuff harden or remain soft?

 

I used permatex thread sealant, have not retorqued, and been fine this past year since I put it together. No issues in almost 2k miles.

 

Supposedly you retorque the head stud kits and and not the bolt kits. I wouldnt mess with retorquing cuz of the sealant. With head studs, you just torque the nut.

 

The lower bolts are much shorter than the 2 top rows, doubt that they would need to be retorqued anyway.

 

My car was in the shop having the shorties replaced with a set of longtubes a couple of weeks after a friend and myself did the H/C swap. Since the shorties were coming off I asked them to double check the head bolts, and they claimed they found few that were not thightened up to spec. I know we did it right and maybe they were BSing me. But I'm glad I had them double check. Just passing along my experience, take it for what it's worth.

 

I also used permatex and have not had any issues for 4k.

 

what KIND of permatex? I have 14h thread sealant with teflon....

 

I know this is a old post but I am getting oil out of the bottom row???? the bottom bolts are in the oil gallry right, I used the arp sealant that came with them, should I redo with sealant.

 

No head bolt holes go into any oil. If you are getting oil seepage, it must be migrating through an improper seal on the gasket. It's probably going to take some clean up and a new gasket to correct it.

[edit] I noticed on another bulletin board you said you used sealant. Here you say you used lube. Which was it? If you only used lube, it could be the cooling system pressure is pushing the lube out the bolt threads (soon to be followed by coolant). Head bolts need thread sealant, because they go into water jackets.