Aluminum head torque has me scratching my head

Working on a V8 rebuild with aluminum heads. Every time I torque the bolts, they feel like they stretch. My digital wrench is calibrated right. What am I doing wrong here?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennyross2d ago

Aluminum heads are tricky because they expand differently than iron blocks. A multi-step torque process helps the gasket seat evenly without overstressing the bolts. Trying that sequence Sam mentioned might solve your problem.

samnelson2d ago

Ugh, had the same problem. Switching to a three-step torque sequence fixed it for me.

shane_williams2d ago

Never skip the torque sequence, especially with aluminum heads. Seen so many guys rush it and end up with leaks. Using a decent torque wrench and cooling between steps makes a huge difference. Honestly, following the factory spec to the letter saved my butt last time. Might seem like overkill but it's worth the extra time.