Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-08-2018, 06:24 PM   #1
Great Lakes Greg
Senior Member
 
Great Lakes Greg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,369
Default unusual head torque issue

Not really an issue, just curious. I have a fresh rebuild with a 5.5 head initially torqued to 60 lbs. Ran it once and got some good heat through it, cooled off completely and went to re torque the nuts. Unlike a dozen times before on various engines, the nuts held they're torque. I pulled up to 75 pounds thinking they would "TINK" and then turn at a lower value, but they didn't budge, so I let off. I'm fine with it, I guess, just never experienced this before. Thoughts from the experts?
Great Lakes Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 06:39 PM   #2
Wick
Senior Member
 
Wick's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gwynn's Island Va
Posts: 1,380
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

Don't worry about it. Run it 50 miles and check them again.
Wick is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-08-2018, 06:44 PM   #3
Step-down
Senior Member
 
Step-down's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hat City (Danbury CT)
Posts: 647
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

Im at the same stage but on a 59 V8 . I've had motors hold but this time after first heat cycle I felt some of the bolts move. That right I used 8ba bolts on a 59 ,no studs . First try ...
__________________
"I can't cry as long as I know the Lord has risen "
Step-down is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 08:00 PM   #4
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

So I'm confused. What is your final torque?
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 09:47 PM   #5
40 Deluxe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: now Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 3,774
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

It's called "stiction", that initial resistance to turning. Always back off the nut about a quarter turn or so first, then torque to specs.
40 Deluxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 10:05 PM   #6
iverson
Senior Member
 
iverson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: freeport il
Posts: 316
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
40 Deluxe you may be right but I dont think I would back em off. if everything is staying tight thats good leave it alone thats my opinion
iverson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2018, 10:15 PM   #7
Chuck Sea/Tac
Senior Member
 
Chuck Sea/Tac's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,351
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

What head gasket did you use?
Chuck Sea/Tac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 05:12 AM   #8
James Rogers
Senior Member
 
James Rogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Asheville,NC
Posts: 3,104
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

Did you install the head gasket? I will post a guess after you answer this.
James Rogers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 05:45 AM   #9
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,088
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

One, I always thought never to back off the nut.

Two, 75 lbs is too much. It should be 55 lbs.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 06:09 AM   #10
Great Lakes Greg
Senior Member
 
Great Lakes Greg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,369
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

It is a Rich Fallucca engine. I don't know what kind of head gasket he used. I am inclined to leave it alone as some have suggested. I did not tighten them to 75, because they didn't move. They are still at the initial 60 lbs.
Great Lakes Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 01:34 PM   #11
Flathead
Senior Member
 
Flathead's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 1,493
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

If the nuts are stuck on the threads you don't really know what the torque is.
Flathead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2018, 07:26 PM   #12
Smog Tech
Senior Member
 
Smog Tech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 145
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

I use ARP Ultra-Torque Assembly Lube on head nuts. Nuts don't stick to the threads.
I worried about the nuts loosening, but that a has not happened yet.
I torque Model A heads to 55 lbs.
Smog Tech is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2018, 05:51 AM   #13
James Rogers
Senior Member
 
James Rogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Asheville,NC
Posts: 3,104
Default Re: unusual head torque issue

The only time I found a head gasket (copper) that didn't compress after a heat cycle is when an old gasket was re-used. They don't compress because it is compressed as much as possible. Gaskets can be re-used BUT, not on a new customer engine without the customers knowledge.
James Rogers is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:30 PM.