ARP head bolts
 

Hi i have just put al my top end back together using groap a head gasket and an arp stud and nut kit i ran it for half an hour to let it warm up and found there to be oil leaking down 1 side under the inlet manifold.Now i followed the arp instructions on tightening the head down (follow spec sequance to 81lbft) but i have been told that you should re torque after first run.should i just re tourqe as in totaly loosen all bolts nad starte again or just torque to a higher torque setting? or non of the above?

just torque to a higher torque setting mate.

Ive jusr retorqued to 99lbft fingers x

just run it up and its stoped leaking but still looks like tiny lil bubbles along the gasket so dont know weather to torque more or undo and start the sequence again it felt very tight i dont wana brake a stup

Anybody got any ideas?

The car seems to run fine would a different oil make a differance am only usuing a low grade oil at mo i was going to put mobile1 in it

if its leakin, it's leakin...must be a problem i'd say!

Had the head ported and inlet manifold mached.the block is wire rung and am using a grpA head gasket both the head and block fase very clean am just wondering if a diff head gasket would be better?

and if i tried lossening the head nutts to re torque would i need to replace gasket again?

Tbh there rubbish m8 i've just removed a set from a friends car and fitted std head bolts as the gasket let go after 4.5k due to them coming loose and incorrect fitment:cry:

Also i have them in mine and will be taking them out when i do my stem seals

i Torqued mine up to 110nm first then 130nm once engine had run and fully cooled

so its back to std bolts for me 25,50 nm and half a turn job done:top:

so retorque to a higher figure and hope that your gasket seals

Paul

Cheers mate il give it a go

What power u hoping for ?

well its gots level 8 ecu t35 turbo a huge intercooler and an uprated fuel system was hoping for 330+ once i find out what chip is in it (or a new 1) and have it set up.

you could see nearly 400 with a 34/63 and a set of 55lb blacks and a easy 340 on greens with the right chip

i use MSD chips and although my lumps done 110k still produces 332 bhp on a std lump with a T34/48 my m8 done 347bhp with the same spec turbo and greens

Get the chip checked before you use it you could damage your fresh engine

Hope this helps

Paul

Yea i have actualy spoken to msd and they said they could sort me out just got plenty of bits to do yet.I bought the car as is now its a mk4 escort with 4x4 engine and running gear (was told was done by gartrac) it had a full cosworht wide arch kit with a mk5 escort rear end grafted on and proper door skins.the person who built the car did quite a good job but scimt of some things so there is alot of lil bits to sort out.It only fail the mot on the abs not working properly and was told could remove it as car is d reg so thats all gone and a comp breaks bias box now sits in there just gota set that up and she should be rolling.ow and sort out this poxy head leakage

Sounds cool get some pics up and good luck

Paul

You squash a FIBROUS gasket between two surfaces to 81lbft, the run the engine, and have a leak.
At no time did you allow for the gasket to compress, due to it's fibrous nature it will.
You need to torque up then allow at LEAST 2-4 hours, then retorque, overnight is even better, you will then find when you recheck the torque it is loosened a bit, quiet a bit actually, I torque mine to 120lbft, let the gasket have a rest, then retorque to 120lbft

Will the gasket be ok now its had oil passing it?

have re checked torque settings there on 130nm now its warming up now if this dont work whats next?

Would having 5w30 semi synth in it make a diff? as thats whats in it at mo i do have mobile1 15w50 fully synth to put in it.

just a thought did you have the head checked to make sure its flat?

Yes and had a couple of new valve giedes and was ported.i think im guna have to wip it off again and have a look.check head again mabey use a diff head gasket?

i'd stick with a grp A as i have had issues with comectic gaskets as the grpa one is a fibre type gasket it dose when fitted correctly seal better imo than a steel multi layer type

but this is only my opinion on your power level:grin:;-)

Paul

Well im guna get the head off and inspect everything and if all ok ill try another group a gasket.Im having my syspisions about the one i fitted

right i have striped her down this morning and on undoing the head nuts have found that the 5 studs on the inlet side of the head loose enough to wobble with my finger and the 5 on the zorst side are still in place (im thinking this is why it was leaking).Now on the instructions it advises to only do them hand tight and use the lube suplied but also says you can locktight them in is that advisable or should i put them in a bit tighter? I havent lifted the head off yet to inspect it so may find sumit els

dose anyone think tightening the studs in and clamping her back downs a good idea or should i lift the head and replace gasket?

That was the same problem i encountered with a m8's one

if you still wanna use them id remove head tighten all studs to 30nm and then refit head with new gasket

Torque down leave it the retorque as per Tabethas suggestion see how u go with that

Tbh i'd would use std head bolts at your power level and don't forget the touring cars used std head bolts:top:

Paul

Think im guna lockthight them and torque to 30nm a new gasket and follow tabethas advice as he seems to be the ford guru.thanks lads ill get another gasket on order asap

Id go for standard head bolts every time at your power mate. Im on a std comp engine, GpA gasket, T34.63 and greys running 32psi. It gets raped everywhere it goes and Ive never had bother with them. Sell the ARP's and buy standard bolts and a new GpA gasket. No more headache. :D

Sounds like a good idea

what people think
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...ycossieesc.jpg

Mk 4 witha mk 5 back end on? Thats really quite mad. Bet it confuses loads of folk out on the roads, ha ha.

Yes it dose had pics taken at my club meet for a mag feature and they thought it was a mk5 escort at first.its very well done

:top::top::top:

Paul

All bits orderd,heads off all looks ok sept for the white sludge.Fingers x shel be back together for next weekend