Guys with aluminum heads?

[monte87]

Greetings guys-

Guys with aluminum heads-need some help here!!! When torquing the lower cobra manifold to aluminum heads, Whats the TORQUE setting??? Dont feel like stripping head threads-Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Got the sequence down pat, just need the setting.

Thanks a bunch, Anthony

 

[NKau]

I know there's a range for what the lower intake bolts are supposed to be torqued to (13-18 ft/lb. maybe?). If you're nervous, stay on the low end of the specified range. My edelbrocks had heli-coils in them (whatever you have might too), so it really wasn't an issue.

You should recheck the torque on the lower intake after a few engine heat cycles.

 

[monte87]

I know there's a range for what the lower intake bolts are supposed to be torqued to (13-18 ft/lb. maybe?). If you're nervous, stay on the low end of the specified range. My edelbrocks had heli-coils in them (whatever you have might too), so it really wasn't an issue.

You should recheck the torque on the lower intake after a few engine heat cycles.

Not talking about the upper plenum bolts, more like the lower manifold itself???

Thansk Ant

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

He was referring to the lower intake bolts, as far as I know. I'm pretty sure I did all my lower bolts to 16 lb. ft.

 

[NKau]

He was referring to the lower intake bolts, as far as I know. I'm pretty sure I did all my lower bolts to 16 lb. ft.

Yep, I thought I remembered torquing mine to about 15 ft/lbs.

 

[monte87]

Just found an article from FORD racing tech that stated intake manifold TQ should be no more than 23lbs on aluminum heads.
Ant

 

[Fast63]

The instructions that came with my trick flow heads said to "just torque them by feel" LOL!! I know it sounds funny, but getting an exact torque reading on the intake is not super important, as long as it is torqued down enough to not leak. I recommend re-torquing the intake too after you run it once because they usually loosen up a little. If you don't want to do that, torque them to about 20lbs and it should be ok.

 

[monte87]

Bump!!!!!!!!

 

[84Ttop]

Most tech books we have rec. 24 ft lbs, but for me that's way too much and have seen too many heads stripped at that high of a setting. I personally stay around 15 ft lbs if I do get out the torque wrench. I always use fel-pro gaskets, and never use the rubber or cork end gaskets, the "right stuff" is all I put on the ends.

 

[monte87]

Thanks Bud, but-Question-
Would you start out for the first round at a lower setting or just shoot for the 16lbs off the bat???

Thanks bro, Anthony

Most tech books we have rec. 24 ft lbs, but for me that's way too much and have seen too many heads stripped at that high of a setting. I personally stay around 15 ft lbs if I do get out the torque wrench. I always use fel-pro gaskets, and never use the rubber or cork end gaskets, the "right stuff" is all I put on the ends.

 

[84Ttop]

I would just torque them in 1 step, w/ that low of a setting, doing it in steps would be pointless.

 

[885.0conv]

I do mine three steps:

96 in/lbs
12 ft/lbs
15 ft/lbs

just to be safe but I don't see doing it in one step as a problem.

I recently had problem with the bolts tightening so I went to studs.

 

[monte87]

Are you running aluminum heads?

Thanks Ant

I do mine three steps:

96 in/lbs
12 ft/lbs
15 ft/lbs

just to be safe but I don't see doing it in one step as a problem.

I recently had problem with the bolts tightening so I went to studs.

 

[885.0conv]

Sorry, though my sig was on. Yeah I have TFS heads I bought used, guy said they just had 10k miles on them but don't know about that now. Exhaust was turning cherry red so when I went to check the lower for loose bolts had two spin on me so decided to go with the studs.

 

[Tanus]

The instructions that came with my trick flow heads said to "just torque them by feel" LOL!! I know it sounds funny, but getting an exact torque reading on the intake is not super important, as long as it is torqued down enough to not leak.

thats how I do um, but my threads are heli-coiled and I use studs so I can torque mine to 30 or 40 foot lbs without any problem

 

[monte87]

Thanks guys!!!!