Torquing Heads

[pgarside@acorn.co.uk (Paul Garside)]

Michael G Hering asks:

    >Subject: Torqueing Head Bolts

    >instructions say to always loosten a bolt fully before you re-tourque 
    >it.  Is this true for head bolts as well?

Yup, any bolt you're torquing, you must break the "stick" first before
torquing, otherwise you'll undertorque. Try it and see - you'll do the
bolt up more when you've backed it off first.

Bolts and set screws get used to being in a certain place - the longer you
leave them, the more stubborn they get!

Paul.