Just wondering a couple things here....how many times do you guys re-torque your studs after a new headgasket job with an new o-ring'd head? Also, obviously it is good to re-adjust the valve lash after a retorque but do you check them again after running for quite a while?
I have done about 3 re-torques on my head since installed with the new .010" over marine gasket and Piers o-ring'd head and am just wondering how many more times if at all I should get in there and do another re-torque? I do hammer on the thing about once a day during my daily drives to and from work when it warms up but I have heard after a good 2 to 3 re-torques from the initial install that you should be good to go for a while and only have to re-torque again after a weekend of really beating on it the drag strip for say or even a sled pull event. Just looking for experienced advice.
On the valve adjust, should I check the lash after a good amount of running say 10-20K miles as the new gasket settles in, kind of like one would with a stock truck doing it every 25-30K? No re-torque involved since I have done 3 already, just a lash check to see where they are at after some good miles of driving??

Thanks, Joe

 

I say the way to go for retouquing is the initial torque upon installation, one heat cycle, retorque again, retorque again after a couple of months. Adjust the lash everytime you retorque. Piers told me that people are retorquing every few months with head bolts and o rings, but the studs should be good once the gasket is seated. Valve lash should follow in the normal maintenence intervals after this.

 

Thanks Crimedog, that was what I was thinking as well. Lash should still be done some where between 20-30K miles and I guess I could re-torque my studs here in another month or so to see if they tighten down any further or end up right on the scribe marks.

Joe