I just got my engine reassembled after getting my heads checked out and resurfaced after a headgasket failure. Anyways, I used felpro gaskets and bolts, but, using the procedure outlined for the 97 it says to torque to 35 (i think, don't have manual right next to me, i did the proper torque on the car), and then to go an addition amount of degreees. I did that, but am paranoid that the bolts aren't all even, etc. Can i torque them to an exact spec, for piece of mind? or should I be completely fine with them how they are. The car has 160k miles on it, and I want it to run nice when it's back together, it's still pretty solid.

Also, just because this thought it always in the back of my mind, when i discovered the milkshake in the oil pan, i drained the oil promptly and replaced it with fresh oil and filter. turned the motor over by hand a few times, let it sit for a while like that. While the motor was torn apart in my driveway, some moisture got into it i'm sure, but I changed the oil in it again while it was there. Should my bearings and bottom end hold together fine? I just don't want to have put this money and energy in only to spin a bearing when i finally fire it back up. Any reassurance would help.

Thanks,
Nick

 

you torque stretch the head bolts, thats why you use a degree wheel, this degree wheel is pretty cheap, I think mine was only $40.00

 

Just torque them to a total of 65ft. lbs in a 3 increment sequence.
1st sequence: torque to 20ft. lbs.
2nd: torque to 43ft. lbs
3rd: torque to 65ft. lbs.

 

blah, torque wrench to 65 ft/lbs in steps, as mentioned above.

 

The 97 uses tty bolts that should be torqued with angle gauge, also, they shouldn't be reused once stretched.
I used ARP sbc bolts and torque them down with a torque wrench to 65 in 3 steps.

 

Also make sure you chase the threads in the block to clean out the sealant and to lubricate under the heads of the bolts and apply new sealant to the bolt threads. These steps prevent false torque values caused by added friction and prevent coolant leaks.