Pounds of torque for head gasket?

M

mmaddox

Cadet
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
11
I have a Johnson 1969 40-hp electrostart outboard motor and am putting a new headgasket on it. How many pounds of torque do I need to apply?
 
S

Skyhigh

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2003
Messages
131
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

The manual reads 228 in./Lbs (not ft./lbs)
 
O

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

That translates to 18-20 ft.lbs.
 
M

mmaddox

Cadet
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

Does it matter what order I tighten the bolts in (clockwise, counterclockwise, opposite sides)?
 
S

Skyhigh

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2003
Messages
131
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

1 side top 1 side bottom and so on....
 
O

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

It sure does.Most repair manuals will provide the actual sequence .It basically starts from the center of the head cover and works its way out to the ends in an ironing pattern.Something like this.<br /><br />13--14<br />9 --10<br />5 -- 6<br />1 -- 2<br />3 -- 4<br />7 -- 8<br />11--12
 
M

mmaddox

Cadet
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

I wonder if my torque wrench is registering properly because it does not seem I'm applying much pressure at all before it clicks letting me know I've applied enough. Is 20lbs barely more than hand tightened?<br /><br />Also, I'm a little confused by the response on tightening sequence.<br /><br />If I had the layout:<br />_0_1_<br />2___3<br />_4_5_<br />6___7<br />_8_9_<br /><br />It sounds like Skyhigh was saying I would tighten 4-5, 2-7, 0-9, 1-8, 3-6.<br /><br />It sounds like ob was saying I would tighten 4-5, 2-3, 6-7, 0-1, 8-9.<br /><br />Which of the two above is correct?
 
W

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

mmaddox, ob has it right (start with 1, 2, etc.). Heads are tightened from the inner most machine screws and moving outward, in a staggered fashion. Also, it's normally recommended that the tightening process be done in two or more passes, i.e. start at 10 ft-lbs, then in a second pass set the wrench for 20 ft-lbs. The idea is to tighten all evenly and gradually.
 
M

mmaddox

Cadet
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
11
Re: Pounds of torque for head gasket?

Thanks everyone! You guys are an awesome help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top