Do I need to Re-Torque Cylinder Head bolts after a rebuild?

[RonR]

A quick question for those more experienced with M100 engine builds:

I've now got 600 miles on my rebuilt engine, all at the "No Boost" setting on my eprom switcher.
I can't find any mention in the WSM, but as I'm feeling a bit nervous about that new Cylinder Head gasket, do I need to whip off the Cam Cover and re-torque the Cylinder Head bolts before switching to a higher boost setting?

[dapinky]

Ron,

This was a question I asked 18 odd years ago when I got my first Elan and changed the HG as my first job on it..... and couldn't get a definitive answer.

I was used to older engines where a re-torque after 500 miles was considered to be normal.

I checked them anyway and found them to be unable to move with the wrench set at 58 lbs/ft..... so left them alone after that. Some engines require that you back the bolts off a bit, then re-torque, some have 'stretch' bolts etc etc...... it appears that this engine just gets done up and left alone!

Since then I have done a few and never felt the need to whip the top off to check - but if it helps your own peace of mind, then I wouldn't try to dissuade you from checking them.....

..... clearly it is only a quick check, it's not like the bolts were done up on an angle gauge where it would require a complete loosening to do it up again - your car, your choice!!!

[Tuga2112]

for what this is worth

when i did my head gasket. i never went back to re-torque anything. its been probably more than 6 years since that and i cant see anything wrong with the engine

[RonR]

Thanks both of you,

I did a few more miles yesterday (up to 750 now), and after a while stopped and set the control to standard boost. All seems to be OK but over the next few days I'll have a look at my elanscan results from the run to check - then - onwards and upwards!

[theelanman]

I did with mine....just as a matter of course......
they didnt move.....lol