Retorque DE head after break-in?

[slipnfall]

Hi folks, I'm getting ready to re-shim my valve buckets in my DE in a few weeks. Since I'll be taking the cams out to measure the shims, I'd like to know if I should re-torque my head bolts. They were new with the rebuild, and the engine has have aprox. 1400mi on it. Are the bolts stretch/yield bolts? Should I simply re-tighten them(to spec ft-lbs, in proper order of course), or loosen them up, then re-tighten? I always thought you had to loosen a torqued bolt completely to get a proper re-tightening(ie semi-siezed). If they are stretch bolts, I'm afraid if I loosen them and tighten them, they may snap. I'm not trying to be paranoid or anything, but if it's recommended I do it, I will while the cams are out and they're accessable. I'd rather not buy new ones, because they were pretty darn expensive, like $6-7ea, plus washers. They are OEM BTW.

Thanks!-Jamie

[slipnfall]

FWIW, I see a lot of references on google about torque-to-yield bolts, and it seems everyone says not to re-torque them... I only asked because I could have sworn I seen it reccomended on this forum.

Anyways, I followed FSM procedure: tighten to one torque, loosen, re-tighten. The only thing I did *not* do was tighten them 1/4 turn more after the torque was reached, which I see mention of all over the net. Does the loosening/tightening achieve the same effect, to stretch the bolt to the yield point?

-Jamie

[NISTECH]

If you did the procedure by the service manual when you initially installed the head it is fine, you do not need to retorque. Some head bolts require a 90 degree turn after achiving a semi low ft lb torque. some do not. If suspect you have the same yr and model car I do ,92 vert stock engine? If you dont have a service manual I can post up the factory torque sequence. But again if you followed it on the intial instal you need do nothing to them now.

[slipnfall]

Yes the '92 'vert has the same series engine. I followed FSM sequencing exactly, so it sounds like I'm good to go.

Thanks,-Jamie

[NISTECH]

yea your good.

What can use retorquing is the exhuast manifold as those bolts due tend to loosen up after a rebuild. as well as the header/manifold to down pipe bolts.

[slipnfall]

I was just about to ask that too... good forsite. Tighten them cold I would assume?

[NISTECH]

yes, sorry I logged out right after I posted earlier.