Serious question, I was torquing head bolts wrong for years until a job in Billings.

I always did the final torque pass in one smooth pull, but the old timer I was working with there showed me his method of three short, firm pulls on the wrench. He said it lets the gasket settle and stops you from over-stretching the bolt. Now I'm wondering, is that just his personal trick or is it actually better practice? What's your method for a final torque sequence on something like a 6.7 Powerstroke?

3 comments

3 Comments

sageross16d ago

Old timers have forgotten more tricks than I'll ever know. That three-pull method sounds like it could save a few head gaskets, right?

the_piper9d ago

Man, that old timer was right. @sageross gets it, those short pulls let everything seat without shock loading the bolt.

kim37315d ago

My buddy's 7.3 blew a gasket after one smooth pull.