Running in

[oily66]

This was a hard topic to search so thought I’d just ask.
With a freshly rebuilt engine lightened and balanced with 100 miles on the clock.
Would it now be worth re torquing the head and if so should this be cold or warm.
It’s been treat reasonably gently with certainly no more than 3k revs on it.

[Mad Mart]

The head should only be torqued when it's cold. You can go up to 4k rpm when running in. I usually advise retorquing at 500-1000 miles. Was it retorqued initially the next day after reaching working temp. for the first time?

[oily66]

Thanks Mart
No it wasn’t retorqued afterwards, well not after I installed the engine into the car.
However the guy that built it may have. I’d have to ask. He did state to do it after a 100 miles
Is this going to be of any detrimental effect?
Will it need a new rocker gasket too?

[Mad Mart]

Trevor, after the engine has reached normal running temperature, the first time after a retorque, the engine needs to cool down until it is completely cold. Then, before the engine is warmed up again, it needs to be retorqued as the bolts/studs can stretch slightly and you can get a head gasket leak. To retorque you back off the nuts/bolts one at a time about an eighth/quarter of a turn then retorque them one by one. All done in the correct sequence according to the manual. Make sure whoever retorques them torques them to at least 58 ft lbs. I usually do them at 60 ft lbs. The Haynes manual quotes 55 ft lbs but this is not tight enough and I have seen head gaskets leak at this figure.

As long as the rocker cover gasket is in a good condition you can reuse it. I usually smear grease on it before installation as this helps prevent it from sticking to the mating surfaces.

[oily66]

Thanks Mart appreciate the benefit of your experience.
I’ll get it sorted shortly and hopefully all should be well.

Regards