Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) head gasket leak

[joet]

I got a 96 look like I got slight leak at the right front. The service manual on step one is to torque all head bolts to 66 ft-lb, then step 2 is to torque all 12 mm bolts to 89 ft-lb, then step 3 is to tighten all bolts addition 90 degrees. On TDR issue 62, Joe Donnelly calls out a torque of 120 ft-lb. So is the 120 ft-lb a good substitute to the additional 90 degrees in step 3?

 

[ttbird]

Is your truck stock ?

 

[hsmith]

I stayed with stock head bolts "new" and a . 010 over gasket. Retorqued after warmup to 125#.

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

leak

Did you have a machine shop check your head in case it was warped. also did you use a bottom tap to clean out the holes in the block? A Must!!!

 

[joet]

I got a #11 plate, 4" exhaust. I never heard of retorqueing after warm-up. I always though retorqueing after 300 miles and cold. Using a bottoming tap to clean the hole sound good.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I used the 120 ft-lb method for up to 800 hp, 60 psi boost successfully. The problem with used bolts especially is that the torque or clamp load vs. degrees of turning varies quite a bit from bolt to bolt. I prefer to get the same clamp load on each bolt.

 

[hsmith]

I went with a complete new head also. Yes, I also chased the threads.