KangBanger

I was rebuilding my motor yesterday (B18C1). I got new head gasket and I bolted the head down with the new head gasket. I was suppose to torque it down with 22 pounds with pattern and go over with 60 pounds with pattern. However, I missed the part about 22 pounds, so i torqued it down with 60 on the first go. I was wondering what should i do.

Thanks!

90Rexx

buy new headbolts... and start over.

KangBanger

why new head bolts?

CerealKiller

are you using aftermarket studs and / or gasket?

JDM_SOHC

almost havin same problem as me... my compression tester is in my girls car so i wont be able to compression test til she gets home but thats what i'd recommend u do first.. i torqued mine down but im unsure if they're torqued right cuz my lower end brand of torque wrench... so i wanna retorque but i heard u shouldnt loosen'm once they're torqued..

vtechjunkie

iTrader: (2)

The main reason for using the step pattern during torque-ing is to not warp anything. At that pressure you will warp the head if you torque it down all at once. On the other hand you may stretch the bolts out and when you get them all torqued down, some will end up loose.If you didn't have ARP's, then just buy some and re-install the head. I don't think you'll need a new gasket though. GL

Unseen Racer

buy new headbolts beacause you are only supposed to torque them down once. and you do not want to remove them, reuse them and snap one of them.

and i believe its
22lbs
44lbs then
66lbs

KangBanger

I have stock head studs and gasket.

ahhhhhhh

Unseen Racer

i say you should buy ARP head studs.
form my understanding, they are re-usable.
plus its a nice little upgrade

CerealKiller

then, yes, new bolts. gasket should be fine.

crvtypeR

how do you know howmany lbs youre wrenching down ....? is there a tool that tells you this...?
excuse ignorance...jej

B18CivicEJ8

Yes, it's called a torque wrench.

JKov240

There's adjustable torque wrenches...you select what torque you want and it gives you a clicking sound and won't go anymore once you reach that certain torque.

9deuce9rr

yea man, stock head bolts are cheap. just grab a new set and use them. much better scenario than potentially snapping a reused one and having to pull it

1FDUPCIVIC

I can't count how many head gaskets I have replaced, but I can tell you how many times I have bought new head bolts-once, because I lost one of the bolts. You have only torqued them to 60ft.lbs., I would say it would be completely safe to back them all off and start over. Believe me, if this didn't work I would have a lot of head jobs coming back to me.

90Rexx

so much bad advice going here....



replace them!! why take the chance of doing this whole job over again or potentially getting stuck somewhere for 100 bucks???? you made the mistake, now pay for it. OEM's should only be torqued once, ARP's you can usually get 2 torques out of before they stretch too much... headbolts are "stretch bolts" which means they are supposed to stretch in order to provide best clamping force. once they stretch too much though, they do not clamp tightly enough.


sure poeple may reuse OEM headbolts and thats fine for them... but when they are crying making threads in 10K miles about their headgaskets leaking then shame on them for cheaping out on something so insignificant.... just replace them!

90Rexx

heres a perfect example lol...


why sir have you replaced so many headgaskets lol??/


der dee derr!!!

1FDUPCIVIC

Because I am a mechanic, and its what i do for a living. You don't have to be smart about it. I am just trying to help this guy out.

Unseen Racer

i said replace them and get ARP head studs.

90Rexx

who cares if your a mechanic, your giving bad advice. maybe it works for you because your lucky or something but thats not the way it should be done... obviously the OP isnt as mechanically inclined as most of us so he should be getting the advice which would provide him with the least problems in the future.

hondamark35

a bolt isn't doing it's job if it's not stretching. fastener basics.

head bolts are to be stretched evenly and accurately, that's why there's so much fuss and trouble.

the Honda Factory Service Manual says to replace a lot of things... exhaust spring bolts, many motor mount bolts, every washer on the car.., some of the transmission bolts, the "bitch" pin... but all it says about head bolts is to oil them and if they make noise while torquing, loosen and retorque.

so where does the "can't reuse them!" come from?

sde780

^exactly. I re-used my 130k mile head bolts with no issues so far. Just soak them in oil and make sure they're clean before you put them in.

JDM_SOHC

^^ x2 i've heard from numerous people that you can reuse them and than you hear other people saying, "quit being so reluctant on spending the $100's to fix it and do it right." Assuming that we all have $100's laying around to spend on items, that don't necessarily need to be replaced.

I guess today is arrogant a$$hole day, I had some douchebag venting his bad day in my help thread as well...

This is a help forum, not a come vent and express your bad day forum. If you have nothing positive to say, or can't say it without having an attitude in expression with your post, it's simple, don't post.

sde780

If you're going to pay over $100 just get ARP's. And while you have the head off might as well drop the oil pan too and get some $100 vitaras and rods. And since you have the engine apart might as well get new bearings and crank and cam and bored 20000billion mm over and spray a (6^(n))(x^2 = 7x -9) shot of nitrous.

If you're on a budget re-use the bolts, if you want the extra peace of mind spend the $100 on new ones.

JDM_SOHC

^ bottom line...