I've got a '91 LWB that I put head gaskets on about 5k mi. ago. At the time, I was unaware of the TSB with the updated head bolt torque specs, so I used the old ones - 72 lb./ft. in two steps. Put it together and everything is fine, works great. I'm going to have to remove my upper intake soon to replace the pcv valve and to fix a leaky hose (things I'd have liked to have done before), so that'd be a good time to address the head bolt torque, which needs to be 80 lb./ft. Has anyone had a problem with retorquing the head bolts after use? I didn't replace them when I did the head gaskets, but I measured them and they were all the same in length and condition. I don't see a problem with it as they aren't torque-to-yeild bolts, but I wanted to be safe. I did a search but I didn't come up with anything.

Don't worry about the bolts - you can re-use them if they haven't stretched. Local Mitsu techs tell me they re-use them once.... seems to me you should be able to re-use them more times if they haven't stretched and if the threads are in good condition. In your situation, I think I'd try re-torquing without removal and re-installation.

Frank

Does it not depend on the type of head gasket used? I thought the PT - Perma-torque and couldn't be touched up?

I think it's more like "it doesn't need to be". I'm not certain, but I'd try it if I didn't want to take the time to remove the heads and use a new gasket.

Frank

You'll be fine-
do break 'em loose before re- clicking- all you have to do is get 'em to move in the 'undo' direction,
then pull them to torque.
They're not torque- to- yield...

I should do that, too, now that I think about it!

Toby

My advise would be to not loosen first. Just pull them down to specs. Especialy if its a perma-torque gasket.
Conner

Conner - that is my plan. It's a factory Mitsu gasket. When I put it together before, I cleaned up all the head bolt holes and I oiled the bolts pretty well so I don't think I'll have any trouble. I'll post my results when I'm finished but I've got a whole line of cars to fix before I get started on the Mitsu. - it's not my daily driver so it's on the back burner for a week or so. I've got my daily driver apart too...