WAZZUYoda

I'm in the middle of replacing a cylinder head on my '88 V6, and I can't find my Chilton manual. Can anyone tell me how much I need to torque the headbolts? If I remember its something like 35 lb/ft then 80 lb/ft the a 90 degree turn and then another 90 degree turn. But I'm not sure if this is correct and I don't think winging it is a very good idea.

Thanks for your help!

CJM

Did you buy new bolts? If not throw yours away and buy new ones!

WAZZUYoda

Yeah, I got new ones, I know that they stretch after being torqued and won't show true. I just need to know how much to torque the new ones.

SEAIRESCUE

Ah Ha, the big question that has no common sense answer. When I purchased a new 1988 V6 truck, the valve cover had a gold color sticker warning about how to torque the head bolts. Best I remember, it was one or two low torques then a 90 degree pull or two to complete the process. WTF was my response. Then I started trying to make sense out of the instructions. Finally concluded that it had something to do with the makeup of the head gaskets. So, to answer your question, I think it has a lot to do with the gasket you choose. Otherwise, the limits are usually based on the block material and the thread on the bolt. Try getting information from the gasket maker you choose unless its OEM, then ask the dealer. I am running a 3.0 with Patent Pending solid copper gaskets. They are CNC cut and I torqued the long bolts to 65 ft-lbs and the short bolt to 40 ft-lbs. I did not re-torque the bolts but I did coat the gaskets with Indian Head gasket sealer. After 20K miles, its still running great.

My $0.02

eric-the-red

Directly from my FSM

Cylinder Head Bolt
12-Point Bolt
Step 1 ........................................ 33 ft lbs
Step 2 .......................... Additional 90 Degrees
Step 3 .......................... Additional 90 Degrees
6-Point Bolt ................................... 30 ft lbs

WAZZUYoda

Thanks everybody!

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

btw whos that in your avatar? She needs to be in the hot women of yotatech thread!