If the studs are good, the cap nuts new, and things are properly
torqued, there is no need to re-torque the heads. If the heads do come
loose, it is because the studs are failing. Re-torqueing will only
stretch the studs' further and in the future, they will loosen again, or
snap. Also, when they get re-torqued, the sealant under the cap nut will
get disturbed and this may cause leakage of coolant into the oil or
externally.

Re-torqueing heads is a left over task from engines with soft gaskets
that would compress and loosen shortly after installation and a few
heat-cool cycles. The Waterboxer head sits directly on the cylinder with
only that metal gasket. The only compression is actually the studs
stretching. Like a spring, if they are stretched too far, they will
loose their shape. Also, if they have been overheated or over torqued,
they need replacement.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Stephen DeMocko
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 4:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Head Retorquing On New Engine

Volks,
I too am nervous 4k mi. into my Go-Westy 2.2L.  It has always been my
belief that you should re-torque the heads, but when I questioned
Go-Westy about this topic I was told it was unnecessary.
Stephen DeMocko
('85 Westy Luci)

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Chase [mailto:roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM]
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 1:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Head Retorquing On New Engine

Richard,

I totally agree.

In the case of my AVP ... we did check these at installation.

All seemed fine.

But 10,000 - 12,000 miles later 9 were loose enough to cause combustions
gasses to

 leak into the coolant.

larry chase

roadhaus.com

- - -

On Fri Jan 27 14:17 , Richard A Jones  sent:

>

>I'd suggest that ALL rebuilds be checked before

>installation, not just AVP.  My '81 aircooled has

>an engine from an east coast rebuilder and it

>had some through-bolts that were not torqued

>properly and later the heads act as if they are not

>torqued.  It leaks coolant when warming up, but

>that coolant isn't an issue.  ;-)

>

>I would check all the engine and head bolts before

>putting an engine in.  It would be worth the

>small extra cost compared to later.  (The aircooled

>has all that tin in the way after installation.)

>

>                       Richard A Jones

>                       Boulder, Colorado

>