I just finished replacing valve retainers in my MY00 and while reinstalling the camshaft holders (as per the manual) I noticed how there is a huge difference in the tightness of bolts during the process. Numbers 2 and 10 came to 16 lbs much sooner than all the others. So, after getting all the bolts to their initial 16lbs (I made two additional rounds on all 20 bolts to make sure they were all correctly tightened.). Out of curiosity and concern I decided to back them all off by one single turn (In the order which the manual specifies of course) and was alarmed to first find bolts 4 and 6 loose and bolts 2 and 10 extremely tight. Would anyone have any insight as to why there is such a huge difference in tightness? Perhaps there is a better way to go about this?

Thanks
David

 

Did you loosen all of the valve lash adjustment screws? Or were you ballsy enough to try it without?

 

You can't just go straight to 16ft lbs, it must be done in steps. Tighten down by hand 1st, then 1/3rd torque per step. Backing off the jam nuts makes it easier.

 

So, further backstory: I initially did this job and did it with loosened lash adjusters as according to a video I watched (I think it was DYIGuys) and the service manual. Even then I had uneven tightening (Even though I followed the manual's pattern and tightening methods) But I thought it was okay. However, during the reassembly I somehow got clumsy and reinstalled the intake cam one tooth off (Yeah, call me what you want, I've already called myself all the names I could think of). Now that I got the cams TDC'ed properly I'm tightening with lash adjusters as previously set (Damn that took a lot of work!) (Knowing I need to go back and readjust the Intake side lash adjusters.

Perhaps I need to be consistent and back up and loosen the adjusters on both the intake and exhaust?

 

Thank you, that's a good idea. I wish that was in the service manual

 

Any chance those bolts got stretched in this tightening process(es). I'd prolly take them out, inspect and measure them. You won't get proper torque with stretched bolts.

Just a rule-out. Good luck!

 

Does anyone have the specs for the bolts? I checked the Service Manual and I don't see them (Going to go back and double-check)
Thanks

 

It says tighten the bolts two turns at a time, in the sequence described.
It's the same thing when removing.

 

Right. So, the last thing I did was just back out one turn with the intention of giving a second turn to each and I started to notice the differences. But even if I went two turns on each, the results would still be the same. Does that make sense?

 

Visually compare & measure the bolts against each other.