Retorque head bolts?

[Jdonoghue]

I can't seem to find a straight answer to this one. I just replaced the head gasket, all of the head bolts were within spec, so I cleaned them with the wire wheel and reused them.
Do the head bolts need to be retorqued or not? I used the "torque them down, then additional 90* turn" method.

 

[dusthomps]

I used the same method you mentioned on both my 91 and my 92. I, myself, have never retorqued the head bolts on either truck.





Dustin

 

[Greenleaf]

The Cummins manual does not give re torque specs. You could back them off, then re torque them one at a time. Some guys re torque them with out backing them off to (I think) 125 lbs ft.



Some engine manuals specify the re torque... ... ours does not.



-S

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I always oil the head bolt threads and shoulders, let them drain on a cloth to remove excess oil, install in cleaned holes (not dry, just not full of antifreeze or oil), torque to 30-60-90-120-120 ft lb.



I have checked torque later but did not find retorquing needed. If the shoulder or threads are dry, you will get bad readings, imho.