AK RAM

What do you guys think about ARP Stud re-torque? When I installed mine, I did the standard incremental torque to 110 ft lbs, then drove the truck (easy) for a few days to put it through a couple heat cycles, then re-torqued to the final 120 ft lbs. Since then, the truck was really abused hard during last summer's racing season. Serious boost pressures, even more serious drive pressures, lots of block heat (220*F coolant temp), and I envision more of the same this year if not worse. What do you think about another re-torque to 120 ft lbs? They have only seen 120 ft lbs one time.

I worry about stretching them too much. Not only weakening the clamping force, but it would suck (you have no idea how much it would suck) if I popped one off in the block.

Feel free to chime in here Don.

Don M

The MLS gasket really does not compress like the older 24V gaskets. The older ones like to expand and contract some. The change in minimal, but retorques work well.

Anyone that runs hard with the older gasket with or without o-rings I ask them to perform retq procedures often. The MLS does not need it as much, I assume. I ask those guys to do it once a year if they are hard on the truck. Like yourself It is a workout, but much easier to do than changing a gasket. Twins only add to the workload.

APR studs are pretty good about taking the retq's and not failing. The highest ductility offered by anyone.

Don~

AK RAM

Hey...thanks. So a re-torque should not be a problem, and may even be recommended, without worries of overstretching.

So how many times can the ARP gear be re-torqued before over-stretching becomes a concern?

120 ft lbs still the recommended max torque?

Jeff K

One more question to ask....when re-torquing, do you remove the stud completely and re-lube as well? or just back off and re-torque?

Don M

I dont know how many times they will last but I have tested them here on a shortblock in the shop, time after time. Perhaps 20 or so.

This is of course without the engine ever running.

Take the nut off, relube with ARP assembly lube and then retq back down. One at a time of course.

Don~

walexa

Don,

Does it matter if you use a sequence when retorquing? I replaced my bolts with studs on the original headgasket and followed the sequence then, but I don't know if it matters on a retorque?

Waylan

PourinDiesel

You might try lowering the torque to say 110 or 115 and re-torquing.

Or I should say re-torquing to a lower value on a more regular basis.