checking the head nuts...

[addictionMS]

just a quick note to let everyone know that they really DO need to do this. I was replacing the rocker cover gaskets on my engine after one weekend of racing, and the intake side of my 1-2-3 bank had loose head nuts, so loose that one had come completely off and fell on the floor. So, take the time and check them. Bank 4-5-6 was all OK.

there were no symptoms.

Jim

[350HP930]

What kind of engine are you running?

[Carrera3.5L]

How many miles on the motor? Is this a newly rebuilt motor?

If newly rebuilt, I thought it was common knowledge that the head stud torque is checked at the same time the valve adjustement is checked/adjusted after the first 1K?

Ralph

[350HP930]

If some were completely loose I would worry that the studs were pulling out of the case or that they were not correctly torqued the first time around.

[addictionMS]

newly built 3.0 (original P/C and no value guides), checked the head studs before the build and they all looked ok,

Common knowledge yes, but easily missed or dismissed, so I thought I would post a good reason for anyone who might consider not checking them, well....like me.

I had my 3.2 top end done and never had them checked, so I guess now after a good 80K miles I should do that.

The motor is in my race car so it is a pretty harsh env. it had one weekend on it, a lot less than 1000 miles. but solid motor mounts and high revs out of the box.

Pretty sure I torqued everything correctly the first time. I was super careful, checking everything twice, atleast.

[350HP930]

By any chance did you locktite the studs in the case long before you torqued the heads on?

That can sometimes cause a bit of unintended stud movement after the engine is put together.

[addictionMS]

I never touched the head studs, the motor was apart once before I got there so it had all steel head studs on the top and the fully threaded 993 ones on the bottom.

I will keep an eye on them just incase you are right about pulling, man I would be bummed if that were the case.

jim

[350HP930]

If its an aluminum case its pretty unlikely that the studs have pulled out unless they were severely overtorqued at one point.

Were the head nuts lubricated when you put it together?

[addictionMS]

Al case, anti seize per Wayne's book

Jim