re-torquing headgaskets?

[PaRaDoX]

hey,

im running a turbo v6..

now i just changed the headgaskets to some ACL race series headgaskets..
acl claim their composite gaskets dont require to be retorqued (well atleast mono torque) and ive been told by a few mechanics that most dont..

do acl race series require retorqing??? or should they be fine

on the instructions that came with the headgaskets it didnt mention retorquing at all so im a bit confused.. dont want them to go bang, also dont want to rip off turbo/manifolds to get at the head bolts..

[vt1538]

I know with the acl race series gaskets I have used for ford alloy head engines I have not had to retorque or had a gasket failure.

[PaRaDoX]

aight cool, should be fine then... acl only state their copper headgaskets require torquing after the sealant has set

[vt1538]

One thing I should have mentioned is to check all your head bolts very carefully. If when you are torquing the head bolts down & one seems tighter or looser than the others rectify the problem before continuing. A gasket failure will occur if any of the bolts are overly stretched or have bound up causing a lack of clamping pressure in that area.

[PaRaDoX]

ahh yes i get you

[VN_Luke]

maybe invest in some banger bolts? if your ones have been on/off etc a few times it might be worthwhile?

[immortality]

maybe invest in a tap and clean all the threads before hand to get the best possible seal, also use some oil on the threads when torqueing up the bolts. ifyou got the dosh get some head studs, there the best way to get even pressure accross the heads etc

[PaRaDoX]

yeah, well headgaskets are done up atm, cant do bolts probbly break the seal,

if it blows again ill know its bolts and ill do PROPER copper headgaskets (the ACL man lies!!!!!!)

was ment to get copper this time, they ACL dealer told my mate at autobahn "yeah yeah they're the 1.1mm copper ones"
got race series steel? composite insted oh well

[defa]

make sure ya clean out the bolt holes too. if there is oil and/or water in them you might still run into trouble.

with ford 6 cylinder bolts. you are supose to through them away and buy new ones. as they have a really long thread. that is on an el anyways. not sure how many other models. from memory you have to do them up to what ever torque ya have to. then go half or 1/4 of a turn. i can't remember

[05 VZ SS]

Then that sounds right defa...On EL's you do them up to the specified torque, then another 90 degrees..My brother has done 2 headgaskets in his el xr6

[PaRaDoX]

EL's = blow headgaskets daily :P just their thing.. the ford I6 is good for that...

ok from the word of the ACL paperz..

Race Series DONT require to be retorqued, the headgaskets came with a insturction page, and on that it said that... and gave specific torque settings for the headgaskets...

just a update on the calais, shes running again.. just tuning it now and waiting for bigger injectors

[cracker]

ur not meant to use oil on the bolts thats a terrible idea u have to use a sealant of some sort as the head bolts go in to the water gallaries and will leak if u dont

[defa]

i don't ususally use anything on head bolts. and never had leaking problems.. just make sure everything is clean
with the ford head bolts. you do them up to there right tension, then turn then. i am pretty sure that is it. the one me and my old man did has lasted alright.
being an aloy head tell your brothers to take the head to a head place and get it checked out and maybe faced..

[defa]

paradox. not saying you have to re torque the head bolts. but i am pretty sure acl race series are not made for turbo's. but i may be wrong. what gaskets did you use before

[Furious_8]

paradox. not saying you have to re torque the head bolts. but i am pretty sure acl race series are not made for turbo's. but i may be wrong. what gaskets did you use before

On a mild N/A motor it wont need retorqueing. But i have blown many ACL race series gaskets with low boost factory non turbo motors. Most common is Pre EFI holden v8, EFI holden V8, VN-VR V6 and Ford 302 V8 motors upto AU.

Try to get another 90 degree turn from the factory specs and make sure the tune is good even if the air fuels are close or just ok it can lead to blown head gaskets. first to test cars blew a head gasket the 3rd was torqued and had the fianl tune and its going great on a 320,XXX motor.