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Should I tighten my head bolts in increments?

Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 153,000 MILES
Long bolts 73 to 83 short bolts 62 to 70. If so, what increments should I use?
Sunday, December 1st, 2024 AT 5:33 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,356 POSTS
Tightening in Increments:

Long bolts (73 to 83 ft-lbs): Tighten in 3 stages.

First stage: 25 ft-lbs
Second stage: 50 ft-lbs
Final stage: 73 to 83 ft-lbs (to spec)
Short bolts (62 to 70 ft-lbs): Tighten in 3 stages.

First stage: 20 ft-lbs
Second stage: 40 ft-lbs
Final stage: 62 to 70 ft-lbs (to spec)

Let us know if you need anything else.
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Monday, December 2nd, 2024 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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  • 52 POSTS
In this pattern, right?
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Monday, December 2nd, 2024 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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That is correct.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
I torqued my head bolts to these specs and afterwards I got ahold of the Haynes manual for my cavalier it says 43 and 46 and an extra 90 degrees. Will my head gasket be ok at 65 and 75 or should I loosen and retorque?
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,356 POSTS
I would leave it because this is how they did the head bolts when the engine was built. Did they all tighten okay?
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Monday, December 9th, 2024 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
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  • 52 POSTS
Yes sir.
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Monday, December 9th, 2024 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,356 POSTS
You should be good to go, please upload a short when it is running.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 AT 10:13 AM

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