465 head gasket retorques..........

[clinto]

Ok, as many of you know, I just pulled the heads off my multifuel for a leaking freeze plug.

I need to know what the general opinion on retorquing the heads is........

My instruction sheet that came with the gaskets said to start at 110 ft. lbs, then 130, then 157, then 157 again. I let them sit app. 24 hours between the first 157 torquing and the second.

I have now run the engine, should I do them again? It idled for approximately 20 minutes, then I drove it a couple of miles over to a friend's house, then it sat idling for about 10, then I drove home, more idling.

If you do recommend retorquing, is that hot enough to go ahead, or do I need to drive it a little longer?

The 465 gasket has been updated so many times, I figured I would trust whatever instructions came with it. It is kind of ambiguous, here's what it says:

Applicable Standards / Specifications
A. DODO-STD0010

"It is not recommended to hot retorque this gasket. if any seepage or leaks occur, or if a torque check is required, it must be done on a cold engine."

Cylinder head gasket 12380040

Now, to me, that seems to say retorquing is only done if there is a leak. Am I misreading this?

I have built a bunch of gas engines (multiple small and big block Chevy's, Mopars and a couple of Hemi's as well) and I don't remember retorquing any of them after they had been run.

Opinions and experience, please.

Thanks fellas

Clinto

 

[WillWagner]

It's a modern style head gasket. I have about 500 mi on mine no leaks. I'm not gonna do it.

 

[jwaller]

Ive done more engines than I can remember and the ONLY ones I ever re torque are the pure copper ones. any other gasket is left as is once the torque is initially applied. I'd leave it be if you are not having any problems.

 

[TacticalTruck]

If you used the late black gaskets, no re-torque.
Jeff

 

[gringeltaube]

About torque values and when to retorque, from the book: (See charts)

 

[jimk]

I just did a retorque to make sure it was done correctly(I didn't do the R+R). I run it a bit (fast idle ~10min) between heads.(ok, I'm slow.Remeber the turtle beat that hare). I used the special wrench. I removed the nuts one at a time and oiled them with SAE30. Some were low which made me feel the work was worthwile. Don't tell anyone but I added an extra 5ft-lbs. JimK

 

[gringeltaube]

... I removed the nuts one at a time and oiled them with SAE30. Some were low which made me feel the work was worthwile. Don't tell anyone but I added an extra 5ft-lbs. JimK

Actually you should reduce torque by 10% if oiling studs/nuts.
According to the std. torque charts values are based on use of dry, clean threads.

 

[jimk]

For heads the book calls for engine oil , so -no- adjustment applies. See page 50/ 51 sec (g) in LDS-465-1 Troubleshooting Manual( in TM section).

Retorque is covered in sec. .JimK

 

[gringeltaube]

Interesting manual, lots of detailed pics, very instructive!
I took notice that they specify SAE30 engine oil (only!) to lube all threads, so for the required torque values they must have taken that into consideration.

But... lots of questions: how much is correct??? They indicate 130 lb.-ft. as final value for the LDS 465-1 and do not mention any higher value for the very similar -1A model, also covered in this manual!?
Do 157 lb.-ft. only apply for "TD" lettered blocks? (see attached figure)
If the studs are the same for all engines does that mean the TD block is built stronger in the deck area? Other differences?
To Clinto: besides the instructions to NOT hot re-torque that head gasket (just the opposite from the std. procedure!) do they refer to the different engine models/ max. torque values? Are your gaskets sealing well and if so where did you buy them, for how much?

Thanks.

 

[TacticalTruck]

"TD" stands for thick deck. No-retorque came out with the new gaskets which probably supersedes your manual.
Jeff

 

[clinto]

To Clinto: besides the instructions to NOT hot re-torque that head gasket (just the opposite from the std. procedure!) do they refer to the different engine models/ max. torque values? Are your gaskets sealing well and if so where did you buy them, for how much?

Thanks.

They did not refer to multiple torque values

Gaskets sealed reasonably well, after about 3 years a few mild leaks are visible on the passenger side of the block where the deck meets the heads.

Bought a complete multi engine gasket kit from a member I don't see here on the site anymore. Can't remember his name, but I might be able to find his info. Don't remember what I paid, but $150 for the complete kit sounds right.