On Tue, 13 Apr 2004, Mark Seifert wrote:

> bentley says a lot of things that really dont have much validity. like not
> using a click-type torque wrench on the heads. why not? there's no solid
> explanation.

The explanation I've heard is that it's because of the length of the head
studs.  They twist during torquing -- if you just bounce the wrench to the
click point and then let go you wind them up like springs and they end up
under-torqued.  You have to hold them at the specified torque until they
stop creeping, and only a beam-type (or digital read-out) wrench lets you
see that.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon