ARP Re-Torque

[ZIKA]

So I just replaced my head gaskets and installed new studs which I torqued to 210lbs. Drove it last night and have a thought in the back of my mind that I should pull the valve covers and do a re-torque. When going to 210, it just doesnt feel like enough. I'm thinking that I will run them up to 250lbs on the retorque. Every shop that I talk to tells me to use the old spec and go to 245-250. Any thoughts?????

[dieselmatt]

Were you using the new "ultra lube"?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

ARP changed the torque specs for a reason. Leave it alone.

[twoicebergs]

The clamping force created with 210 lb-ft is huge. I'm guessing that at 245 lb-ft there was some hot spots (stress) created near the studs. As well, with using the new assembly goo, the test data shows repeatable clamping force to spec using 210 lb-ft. So if you don't need more clamping force and you did it correctly, why add more stress?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

except they don't have aluminum heads.

[ZIKA]

The heads are iron and the rocker box is aluminum but has a steel insert around the stud. I'm just saying because every good well known 6.0 shop that makes big power goes to 245-250. I must say previously when going to 245, it feels a hell of alot better than 210. I figure I can get each side apart in about 25 minutes.

My plan is to go in and retorque to 210 to see if any loosened up then go to the 250lbs.

Maybe....

[twoicebergs]

I was thinking how clean and shiny it looked the last time I had the covers off, it reminded me of Al. Corrected. Doh! The first set I installed I torqued to 245. The second and 3rd were to 210.

[ZIKA]

Originally Posted by twoicebergs

I was thinking how clean and shiny it looked the last time I had the covers off, it reminded me of Al. Corrected. Doh! The first set I installed I torqued to 245. The second and 3rd were to 210.

So you are on the 4th set of gaskets too... Do you think this makes sense to do. Its no to much work. Figure about an hour per side. I dont even have to tak the oil rail off because it has the holes around the studs.

[F250SixOH]

A torque spec is there for a reason. The bolts stretch and with the newer lube the bolts will turn easier. They are still stretching to spec but the lube is just making them easier to torque to that spec. I would leave them alone honestly. ARP knows what the heck they are talking about. Look at all of the racing applications they have. If you had rod bolts for example you would use their torque spec, etc. They even include thousands of stretch that the bolt will have at spec and this is measured with a special micrometer. Bottom line, ARP has a specific torque spec to achieve the correct bolt stretch for the material. Leave them alone IMO! Sometimes the torque spec is there for the material as mentioned above which is really important(warping heads, pulling out threads, etc.). Wouldn't want to pull the threads out of a block or something Oh and forgot to mention head gaskets. There is a specific clamping force that they need to be at as well if you want to get into that.

[Dirty_Stroke]

Zika, not to derail your thread but is your truck a reg cab short bed??