Originally Posted by
merziac
You might want to have the heads checked now, they can warp from being overtorqued and they have very little tolerance to begin with, can't be too clean or wrong surfacing as well.
I will check.
Originally Posted by
nesteel
Well, if you're gonna make a mistake, do it with torque-to-yeild bolts. Once they go past their elastic limit, they actually provide almost no extra load. Take a GOOD straight edge (like a Starret) and some feeler gauges to the head and deck surface to check them for flatness.
Torque-to-yield, I certainly agree. They sure felt odd loosening, I already tossed the originals, but will measure against the replacements when they get here, out of sheer curiouosity. I know a guy with the right straight edges and feelers.
Originally Posted by
merziac
And please do be careful with that, Ford calls for virtually zero scratching of either surface for proper sealing long term as well as very little warpage.
The heads were only off long enough to swap the gaskets. I had already let this project snowball. Bought the engine, running, for $600 4 years ago.