I installed ARP head studs maybe 4,000 miles ago.

Is it a good idea to re-torque the studs?
If I should re-torque them, how should I go about doing it? Do the Studs have to be loosened 1 turn and re-tightened? Should I just put the torque wrench on them without loosening first and check the torque in the correct order?


Any advice / help would be great.


Thank you!



-Bink

 

I was all was told to buy some new ones.

 

From the arp page
"Because the head gasket will compress upon initial torquing, make sure studs (or bolts) are re-torqued after the engine has been run."

 

i have never done it, see if one of the big boys will say

 

When I first got headstuds, I let a shop do it and put in an HKS headgasket. They did a dyno run and then retorqued it. Never had any issues with that. That was stock turbo 28psi alcohol.

I did it twice on my 8. I just warmed up the motor than re-torqued it.
The second headgasket blew (OEM). I was leaking coolant and burning that up.
With 24psi on a 50trim. I believed it overboosted at sometime. Cause it also overheated... Was on a GM boost solenoid. I hate that thing! Milled the head a little...

On my third headgasket...OEM
I torqued it once, then drove for a couple thousand miles. Boosting real hard. I went to re-torque it and the studs weren't torqued anymore. Haven't had any issues with burning anything on this HG. Same 24-26psi on the 50trim but with a hallman mbc.
10k miles.

 

also depends on how many lbs also, I think this would change allot, I did 100lbs

 

I did my studs around 90 ft/lbs or 95 ft/lbs.
My plan is just to take the valve cover off - leave the studs as is and just check the torque. I am not going to loosen them and then re-tighten them.

Thanks guys


-Bink

 

What did you torque them to?


-Bink

 

What is the right way?
Boost on it then retorque?
Torque once?
Just get the engine warmed up and retorque?

 

Hey listen to me if you want but this is my best, Torque once is my vote and what I have done and will till I really see something else. more times you play with them better chance of stretch, Install and Torque once and call it good, Then boost on it and run it to the ground and don't touch them again.