Old timer told me my torque wrench was way off for head gaskets

Used to just snug up head bolts by feel, not gonna lie. A retired machine shop guy watched me do a 4-cylinder Honda head and said I was over-tightening by at least 15 ft-lbs. He showed me his torque-to-angle method with a cheap protractor (like from a school supply store) and I actually measured my bolts after. They were all stretched weird at different lengths. Changed my practice to always use a proper torque wrench now, even on basic jobs. Anyone else get set straight by an older mechanic on something you thought you had down?

2 comments

2 Comments

schmidt.eva12d ago

Question whether it's really that serious for a basic head gasket job.

robinson.jake12d ago

Hold up, isn't the real headache on these the head bolts seizing in the block, not the gasket itself?