zackdeha

Hey guys i was just wondering if anybody knows of having to re-tighten head bolts after break in period? like 500 miles or so?

i just did a HG swap on my 93 3vze and i checked the FSM and it didnt mention anything about having to do this so i figured id ask. any input?

flecker

NO- theres no need to do a head stud re-torque on the 3vze, or any engine really.

zackdeha

oh really?

i was just talkin to my dad and he was tellin me when he did that to his 22r on his pick up that the HG blew cause he didnt retighten and the head came loose... same with his ranger

thook

On the 22re, it really is a good idea to do so, but only if you're using brand new head bolts. Ted, known as engnbldr, has a write-up that's been posted here on this forum about doing so. Try running a search on that. The difference with the 3vze, though, is that they require using torque to yield headbolts. Once they're torqued down and then tighten even more a few specified turns, they've stretched to their yielding point and don't require retightening. In fact, it's not even a good idea. If you compare the 22re and 3vze head bolts, you'll notice the 22re's are thicker. Retighten the TTY bolts of the 3vze and you'll most likely wind up either snapping one down in the block or, even more likely, snap the heads off. What's more, later you may hear a pop under the hood. That'll be the bolt head saying surprise!

zackdeha

ok ya that makes sense for not needing to do so since they are torqued to yeild. thanks alot for the follow up and ill definately be checking out that write-up.

flecker

Yah rry.

Why is it that ALL new 22r's or re's series of engine that I have had never required me to take them back to the dealer for that 500 mile head bolt re-torque? Hmmmmm. Thats odd.

lol- not saying on the 22r/e series I haven't heard of it, or even done it for that matter... but if you built the engine right, it isn't necessary.

thook

Sure thing....

It's been a topic of discussion for a long time. Needless to say, I've read everything I could about the issue when I acquired my first 3vze. I have a 22re, also. So, I needed to know about that, too.

Anyway, have fun!

thook

Something you may try asking Ted about. He knows a lot about the industry. Just speculating here, but maybe they run the engine through a break in period and retighten before the vehicle hits the sale floor? Dunno....

BTW, what's "rry"?

flecker

Thats Chinese for "really".

PismoJoe

It is a good idea to check the torque on 22R/RE head bolts after a few hundred miles, like thook and ENGNBLDR recommend.

However, if they were installed flawlessly and tightened correctly, they should NOT move.

Better safe than sorry since they aren't TTY bolts again like thook was saying, so checking the torque will not harm them.

thook

Ringre berrs, ringre berrs, ringre arr da way......lol!

thook

Aye matey, but you see.......he gotz da 3vzeeeee. It's pappa who gotz da 22re.......

(It rhymes....did'ya notice?.....)

PismoJoe

Haha missed that, I thought he was asking about both of them. Yes I was just talking 22RE my bad, I'm not a VZ guy myself so I don't really chime in on that stuff

thook

Feeling excitable, Gnarly? If your opinion's worthless, then why so emphatic about it? And, no need to be condescending, is there? Now that you've mentioned it, I vaguely recall engnbldr having said something to that effect, myself. But, I also recall another post.....the one I've already mentioned. So, apparently there's a contradiction. I'll have to find that post, I suppose.