Head bolts

[jonooffler]

Hi all I need a bit of newbe help I have taken the head off a 16V Vitara and had it now need to replace it what is the rule with the head bolts do I need to torque down in stages and leave it or do you need to back off and the re-torque down.
Thanks For the help.
Jono

[Shconer]

I would use new bolts and I think your supposed to go 30 and then 55 ft/lbs. I don't have my manual, hopefully someone can verify. But always use a accurate torque wrench and start from the inside and work out and do it all at once don't torque half the head and then wait a few hours, this can warp the head and torque it at room temperature . Also use compressed air and make sure all the head bolt holes are free of crap and fluids and lube the bolts slightly and evenly with special bolt lubricant or a little oil.

[jonooffler]

Hi thanks for the advice the head gasget set came with a bit paper that said torque to 15 then 34 then 54 undo 90 deg re torque to 54 run the engine until hot leave for 4 hours undo 90 deg re torque 54. As you need to remove the cam shaft to do this might not happen on mine. The haynes manual says 25 then 40 and then 48 or 50.
I think I might try a bit of all of them .Then sell the car quick .
Jono

[JamesG]

Yeah, there's a good way to get some bad karma points fast...

[jtgh]

max head warp is .0024 inches (use flat perfect steel ruler to check with feeler guage)
if even close to this, mill it or have the head stress relieved (spec. heating cycle)
old bolts love to snap , get new ones. ( especially on old engine. you didnt say year)

95FSM spec: head torque:
stage 1: 36 ft lbs
stage 2 41 ft lbs.
stage 3 52 ft lbs.


tightening sequence: left is front of engine #1 spark plug
F7 3 1 5 9R
F8 4 2 6,10R

the above is for 95 1.6L 16v engine
if yours is a 1996/7 1.8L 16v engine the above is not true.