Hello all, Honda newbe here. Last year I picked up a fairly decent Civic 1500s hatchback. It developed a head gasket leak so I pulled the head, sent it off the the machine shop and proceeded to reinstall yesterday. When went to torque the bolts down on the first pass, (22 ft. Ibs.) it felt like I was tightening them up more than what my wrench was set. Not having used it in long while, I proceed to continue and when I made the 2nd pass at 49 ft. lbs., it took very little effort before the wrench "clicked" indicating the desired torque had been reached. Upon inspection, I discovered that my wrench my have actually torqued the bolts to around possibly 80 ft. lbs. due to a malfunction. My question is, should I just continue or pull the head and start with a fresh gasket? New bolts?

 

I would pull the bolts at the bare minimum to see how badly the bolts are stretched. 80 ft-lbs is the range of ARP studs and nuts, not OEM head bolts. I suspect the bolts are stretched beyond use. Good to know the block threads took it without popping.

I'm not sure about the head gasket, you haven't heat cycled it so I am not sure if it would have compressed it past repair (use). I think you would jus thave to give it a try and see if it holds. Do what you are most comfortable with.

 

Thanks for your response, I decided to pull the head. I ordered new bolts (the studs and nuts are nla) and a new head gasket. I checked the head and block for warpage with a straightedge and feeler gage and didn't any. Live and learn. Can't wait to get it on the road.