My head is off at the machine shop getting the exhaust side worked on. I have read quite a few mentions in these forums about taking off the head cover and re-torquing the head bolts after a few heat cycles once the engine is running again.
1) The repair manual does not call for this.
2) The head bolts are stretch bolts. The instructions call for 22 ft-lbs, and then 3- 1/4 turns in the proper order for new bolts. It's not like I can just go in and make sure they hit XXX ft-lbs. I would have to loosen them, and then go thru the same procedure again (2-1/4 turns this time as the bolts are being re-used).

Am I missing something? To me it feels like I should just torque it once, but I am at novice at all this and would like someone more experienced to explain the re-torque.
Thanks!

 

Torque just once, this isn't a b series engine, these bolts take a bit more oomph to get them on all the way.

 

For ultimate reliability, use oem head bolts. Install once and you're done. No re-torque required.

If you want the opposite, get head studs.

 

Thanks! No re-torque planned now.

 

if you're going to deviate from the service manual, there ought to be a really good reason.