Head bolts

[Mickswan]

Before I get crucified I did search so:

Quick one, I'm putting the head back on a 16v at the weekend. I know the torque (20nm, then 120 and a further 120) and order the bolts to go in etc.

Only question is in the past when I've done head bolts up I've tightened them up to a certain tourque (say 10, 15 then 20) in stages before doing them up to the final setting so everything goes down evenly.

Anyone do it the way I've said and what tourque settings have you used? Or do I just want to go straight to 20nm then 120 and 120 again.

[blackie_2k5]

just do the 2 stages at 20nm mate

never had a bother even with double gaskets doing it this way.

theyre stretch bolts so getting the correct tension relies on them being torqued at the right amount for the correct angle

keeps it nice and even across the head

[Mickswan]

So to confirm just to 20nm across all bolts then up to the right angle?

[Gabbastard]

I did them all finger tight, then 20nm, then 260degrees iirc.

[blackie_2k5]

Way i do it

On a 16v.. Run the bolts all in hand tight

On an 8v.. Run the bolts all in untill the rockers have settled flat on the head

Torque them all to 20nm in the correct order

Do your 120 degree, again in order

Leave it 10/20 mins then repeat

Run the car up to temp (till the stat opens) then let it cool down completely

Job done

Some like to run it up to temp between the 2 torque stages but I think that comes from alot of old skool engines

[Gandi699]

I do/did it as above minus the waiting 10mins or so.
At the factory are these heads bolted down by machine all at once though?
Seen videos of kseries being done that way when they are new, just bosh gasket on and then the nipping up before a full final torquing up all bolts at once