Date: Fri, 1 Dec 1995 08:56:34 -0600 (CST)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Joseph F. Fournier II" <jfourni@comp.uark.edu>
Subject: Re: retorquing heads
On Thu, 30 Nov 1995 mbushore@icaen.uiowa.edu wrote:
>
> I spoke with Victor at GEX a few weeks ago, and
> he mentioned that it was standard procedure to retorque
> the lower head bolts.
>
> Being in college, and feeling rebellious, I am
> wondering what good it does to only retorque the lower bolts.
> If anything, wouldn't it make things worse by screwing up
> the pressure distribution?
I would think so. Bob Hoover recommended pulling the engine and
retorquing all head bolts at 300 miles. Apparently that's what VW did and
according to Bob, failure to return for that 300 mile checkup/retorquing
could void the warranty.
>
> Why torque the heads down really tight at all?
Retorquing doesn't imply tightening beyond specs. It means retightening
TO specs. I think the logic goes that vibration and heat allow the
torqued bolts to settle some...thus losing the to-spec torque that you
provided originally. Retorquing puts everything back to where it ought to
be...sort of like that disclaimer on the cereal box: some settling of
contents may occur.
> Does it hold ignition compression? Or is it a guard against
> a fatigue failure of something or the other?
>
Apparently lots (possibly most) folks don't retorque the heads.
Apparently these folks suffer from more little nagging oil leaks and
probably loose at least a few thousand miles of longevity on their engines.
> I *might* do them when I drop the engine to do the pressure plate,
> which is coming far, far too soon.
I can't imagine not doing it at that point. You're 45 minutes or less
from having the job done right with that engine sitting there waiting for
the pressure plate. (And I'm a SLOW "mechanic")
Good luck! Joe
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Joseph F. Fournier II <jfourni@comp.uark.edu> 501.575.7353
<a href="http://comp.uark.edu/~jfourni/"> Joe Fournier</a>
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