Engine: What final torque is recommended for thin gaskets on a 259?

[Charlie D]

If things go as planned I will be installing the heads tomorrow on the 259. I am using the thin gaskets and have purchased a copper coat gasket compound to use. I have searched the threads and saw one talking about 60-65 ft. lbs for the final torque. My 1955 shop manual calls for 46-50. I am assuming that is for the composition gaskets. The manual shows the sequence for tightening but I would appreciate advice on the final torque.

Thank you,

Charlie D.

[Bud]

I use 65lbs. ft for the final torque in V8 heads. It doesn't matter which gasket you are using. Bud

[Dwain G.]

The torque spec for V8 cyl. heads was revised to 60 ft. lb. plus or minus 5 ft. lbs. in Service Bulletin 305, June 1955.

[Charlie D]

Thank you, Dwain & Bud

After I asked the question I goggled again and found a very thorough discussion of the topic in an October, 2007 thread entitled “replace head bolts dry” I was hung up with the dry versus oiled bolts thing. I had seen on some sites that there was a pretty significant difference in dry versus oiled maximum torques. The shop manual states to dip then in oil. Maybe that changed with the service manual.

Sonny had given a very thorough explanation of the torquing procedures and the idea of clean & dry for the bolts and holes. The night before I had run a tap (yes, I know it should have been a chaser) into all the holes with the engine upside down and cleaned them out with WD40 and compressed air. I decided that the holes were not “dry” and blew them out a second time last night before we started in on installing the heads. The bolts were torqued to 65 ft lbs in three stages as my grandson pointed out the next bolt in the sequence.

We came in feeling pretty good about ourselves and he went home. I sat down and reviewed Chuck Lampman’s book on head installation. He wrote that one of the head bolts on the right side was a pain because it held down the dipstick tube bracket. Oh shoot!! Back out to the garage I went to install that bracket. Once again thank you both for the torque recommended for the head installation.

Charlie D.