Re-torqueing head bolts-Hot or Cold??

[TurboToy]

When re-torqueing head bolts, is it best to do it with the motor cold, or at operating temperature??

What are the pros/cons of each?

[YEA 13B]

wot head gasket did u use? wot were the instuctions with it? some gaskets dont need 2 b retorqued! some say hot! some say cold!

[TurboToy]

factory toyota graphite gasket.

No instructions with gasket, and i cant understand jack sh*t of the japanese in the manual other than the bolt torque settings!

[lambs]

Generally best done cold

[Billzilla]

Always cold.

[YEA 13B]

ALWAYS hot with a copper gasket!

[Billzilla]

Why's that?

[DP13B]

Retorquing aluminium heads while hot is a no-no because when they cool down they will shrink, effectively loosening the bolts.

[TurboToy]

that makes perfect sense.

Cheers

[SiMMMo]

how are you possibly meant to torque a head while its hot?

It would have to be run to be hot? yet if the head isn't on you can't run it?

and i've never heard of just 'bolting it together', starting it, and then torquing it after its been run.....?

anyway, cold is my answer.

[smeck]

The word you missed Simmo was "Re-torqueing". Now does it make sense?

[TurboToy]

Simmo,

I'm talking about RE-torquing a head. some gasket manufacturers reccommend torquing the head at first assembly (obviously cold) then re-torquing after say 500km as the gaskets can settle a little (depending on their constuction material I guess).