Head bolt retorque

[oldelanman]

What procedure do you use to retorque the head bolts ... back off and retorque each bolt in the sequence or loosen them all and then retorque in sequence ?

[types26/36]

"back off and retorque each bolt in the sequence"
This!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitely NOT this!
"loosen them all and then retorque in sequence ?"

[oldelanman]

Thanks Brian.

[alan.barker]

In 45 years of tinkering on Twinks when fitting the Head i have always Torqued down in 3 stages.
I have never ever retorqued a Head and have had no problems.
Maybe i have been very lucky who knows
For sure many people like to retorque and it could be a personal choice.
Did Lotus retorque Heads or call Cars back to the Dealers to retorque after a few miles
Imho i can't remember them doing that.
Alan
ps For sure Twinks used in Competition is a different ball game

[oldelanman]

I've never re-torqued before either ... hence my question on how to go about it.
Only considering doing it now as I have a small oil leak appeared on the LHS where the head, block and front cover join.
It's most likely the cork gasket I suspect so pulling down the head probably wouldn't help anyway but I thought it may be worth a try.
I used RTV on the cork gasket last time and it has squeezed out a fair bit .. have always used Hylomar in the past and not had this problem.

[alan.barker]

I have always found that the Cork Gaskets seem to move after a while.
Maybe Glueing the Cork Gasket in place before fitting the Head would help.
Rohan is the Expert for this.
Alan

[types26/36]

Lotus said to check the head bolts on the initial 500 mile service, I can only presume that meant to re-torque them.
I have always done it on lots of engines I have worked on and never had a blown gasket.
I normally loose them approx a quarter of a turn just enough to ?break the torque lock? then retighten to specs.
This is done ONE AT A TIME in the tightening sequence.

[alan.barker]

Thanks Brian,
is that just an internal Doc because printed on the left is " not to be redistributed"
Could you say what Doc that is please
Alan

[types26/36]

is that just an internal Doc because printed on the left is " not to be redistributed" Could you say what Doc that is please Alan

No its not an internal document, it?s the original S1/2 official workshop manual supplied by Lotus.
The ?not to be redistributed? warning is on every page presumably to stop people coping and selling it.

[oldelanman]

It's also in the later Workshop Manual ... never noticed that before

I will be checking mine then - if ever I reach 500ml since the last time the head was off

Thanks again Brian.

[alan.barker]

Thanks again Brian,
for pointing that out Workshop Manuel Section "O" page 3. O.2 FREE SERVICE (500 miles).
Maybe it was a little late when i bought my Sprint as it had already 69,500 miles on the clock .
I hope the first owner Terry Tozer at Tollgate Engineering (Lotus Dealer) followed the Lotus Elan Workshop Manual
Also Saint Miles who changed the Chassis and used to service the Sprint
Alan

[types26/36]

I normally loose them approx a quarter of a turn just enough to ?break the torque lock? then retighten to specs.This is done ONE AT A TIME in the tightening sequence.

Oh and forgot to mention only do the retighting when the engine is stone cold although I'm sure you already know that Roger........................grandmother sucking eggs blah blah blah.......