I torqued the head down on the bike.
I had to break them by loosening them, then tightening back down. It seems to have ~1/2 a turn more on the tightening side. Has anyone else done this and did what I did.
The base gasket was leaking, this seems to have stopped it ... or maybe not ... but I should check tommorow.
Cool.
Srinath.

I didn't think to do that.  I just checked them last valve adjustment, at the highest torque value, because of the same thing.

Quote from: scratch on July 11, 2006, 09:18:55 PM
I didn't think to do that.  I just checked them last valve adjustment, at the highest torque value, because of the same thing.

Can't really check a bolt for proper tq without loosening it first. As far as I know the bolts can stick and do weird things from temp changes.

Anyway... I would prefer to not have to reuse headbolts (read: tq then loosen and then tq again) in any head application unless it was an ARP bolt. I have however reused head bolts on my boosted d-series with no problem. People say that after even one tightening headbolts can stretch. Perhaps this extra bit of tightening is coming from a more stretched bolt. Or the values on the tq wrench could be a bit off.

depends on the range of the torque wrench you are using as well, sears sells one that supposedly will work from 3lbs to 150 lbs but anyone in the know will tell you that  any torque  wrench is only truely accurate @ 75% of its max setting.
and all torque wrenchs need to be calibrated every so often (about 30 $)
we reuse head bolts all the time have never had a problem (have done this over 100 times)even on severe built drag bikes
we always excede the reccommended torqe setting on my gs and tighten to 35 ftlbs.The main issue with a torque wrench is to have all bolts equal -pattern is more crucial though inside out is really all that matters.

I occasionaly torque head bolts in the same procedure prescribed in Haynes manual.
But the last time I did it (with torque wrench) I didn't pay attention for a sec and
broke off the 6mm bolt in the front of the cylinder head 
Now I don't know how to take it out,the broken end is deep in i'ts thread
and there's no good access to it unless I remove the engine.....

Quote from: Affschnozel on July 12, 2006, 05:33:04 AM
I ocasionaly torque head bolts in the same procedure prescribed in Haynes manual.
But the last time I did it (with torque wrench) I didn't pay attention for a sec and
broke off the 6mm bolt in the front of the cylinder head 
Now I don't know how to take it out,the broken end is deep in i'ts thread
and there's no good access to it unless I remove the engine.....

i think you should be able to take it to a mechanic or a machine shop; ask if they have 'easy-outs'. first they drill into the screw, then they put a left-hand tap-type ting into the hole that grips the screw and backs it out.

you may be able to get the tools yourself, if you deem it worth it, but i would make some inquiries first.

I'll definetly snoop around mechanic's shops...although I always enjoy fixing  myself
But yes I don't have those tools necessary...so no choice
Thanks!

I accidently over torqued the head bolts on my last valve check...when I realized my mistake I had to decide if I should risk breaking one by loosening or go ahead and over torque the last two just to get them all the same....that was about 300 miles ago and no oil leaks or cracked head yet.  I've still got my fingers crossed.

Mine were all in with loctite ... the mofo's didn't want to come loose ... heck they may have been 3 turns off and still had a death grip ... from the factory with, dry clean metal and loctite ... you'll never break them free. So after 1/2 turn out ... they spun over 1 and some did closer to 2 turns before they even showed anywhere near the torque to hold the damn head from flying off ...
BTW this question is ~ 6 years too late, cos I did the same thing on a katana back in 2000 and promptly had its oil leak disappear. BTW this time around, its also worked like a charm.
Anyway, bolt stretch is possible. But doubt our motor will even notice.
Cool.
Srinath.