The Ford Barn

Bob from Northport · 07-14-2020, 12:06 PM

In Bratton's catalog, it specifies that the torque on a 5.5 to 1 ratio head should be 65lbs. I have been told to torque to 55 lbs.
Can anyone advise the correct torque for the head nuts on a 5.5 to 1 head???

Ruth · 07-14-2020, 01:15 PM

I have always used 55 ft/lbs with no problems. Routinely check mine. Snyder's recommends 55 ft/lb.

Add; I have a 5.5 head.

Big hammer · 07-14-2020, 01:58 PM

My engine builder said to torque my 6.0 head 55 ft-lbs initially and re-torque 60 ft-lbs

johnneilson · 07-14-2020, 04:35 PM

I have heard many different tales of woe here.
Truth is that both 55 and 65 Ft# are correct.
55 ft# for clean lubricated fastener, 65ft# for dry assembly.

J

Bill G · 07-14-2020, 06:35 PM

I think the Ford factory specification was "Good and tight". Maybe "real tight" on a standard head and "Good and tight" on the police heads.

Benson · 07-14-2020, 06:52 PM

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I do not know about anyone else but I have used 55 foot lbs since 1963 on Police Head for the last 53,000 miles ... works fine.

ADDED: Have used Copper Coat and Victor or Best gaskets.

There is no need for 65 ft lbs ... this only distorts the upper deck of block and might strip out weak stud threads.

Just saying....

Synchro909 · 07-14-2020, 09:32 PM

I always use a sealer with the head gasket so I opt for the lower setting. 55 ftlb is all I have ever used and I've only ever blown one gasket but wasn't head tension that caused that one.

Werner · 07-15-2020, 05:08 AM

909, please, what sealer did you use for the very hot head sealing?

Thanks!

Synchro909 · 07-15-2020, 05:32 AM

[QUOTE=Werner;1909240]909, please, what sealer did you use for the very hot head sealing?

Thanks![/QUOTE

Werner, I have used Hylomar but I now have ABRO Copper Gasket Spray. It is an American product. There are several on the market and I'm sure there will be one available in Germany.

07-14-2020, 12:06 PM	#1
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	Head Torque Question In Bratton's catalog, it specifies that the torque on a 5.5 to 1 ratio head should be 65lbs. I have been told to torque to 55 lbs. Can anyone advise the correct torque for the head nuts on a 5.5 to 1 head??? __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan Last edited by Bob from Northport; 01-24-2022 at 09:39 PM.

07-14-2020, 01:15 PM	#2
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Head Torque Question I have always used 55 ft/lbs with no problems. Routinely check mine. Snyder's recommends 55 ft/lb. Add; I have a 5.5 head. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread" Last edited by Ruth; 07-14-2020 at 07:51 PM. Reason: Add verbage.

07-14-2020, 01:58 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Head Torque Question My engine builder said to torque my 6.0 head 55 ft-lbs initially and re-torque 60 ft-lbs __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

07-14-2020, 04:35 PM	#4
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,056	Re: Head Torque Question I have heard many different tales of woe here. Truth is that both 55 and 65 Ft# are correct. 55 ft# for clean lubricated fastener, 65ft# for dry assembly. J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

07-14-2020, 06:35 PM	#5
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Head Torque Question I think the Ford factory specification was "Good and tight". Maybe "real tight" on a standard head and "Good and tight" on the police heads.

07-14-2020, 06:52 PM	#6
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: Head Torque Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I do not know about anyone else but I have used 55 foot lbs since 1963 on Police Head for the last 53,000 miles ... works fine. ADDED: Have used Copper Coat and Victor or Best gaskets. There is no need for 65 ft lbs ... this only distorts the upper deck of block and might strip out weak stud threads. Just saying.... Last edited by Benson; 07-15-2020 at 07:55 AM.

07-14-2020, 09:32 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Head Torque Question I always use a sealer with the head gasket so I opt for the lower setting. 55 ftlb is all I have ever used and I've only ever blown one gasket but wasn't head tension that caused that one. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

07-15-2020, 05:08 AM	#8
Werner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Germany, near Aachen Posts: 1,158	Re: Head Torque Question 909, please, what sealer did you use for the very hot head sealing? Thanks! __________________ Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland, Werner Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928 Citroen 11 CV, 1947 Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version

07-15-2020, 05:32 AM	#9
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Head Torque Question [QUOTE=Werner;1909240]909, please, what sealer did you use for the very hot head sealing? Thanks![/QUOTE Werner, I have used Hylomar but I now have ABRO Copper Gasket Spray. It is an American product. There are several on the market and I'm sure there will be one available in Germany. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.