ARP head bolts

[madpugger]

I am offshore right now, but will check next week, I am sure mine said 65. This is why there is so much confusion!

All I can say is, I did mine to 65 with sport q washers.

[Simons]

No problem.

The sp quattro washers are available from audi next day usually, but the standard ones are still better than ARP.

The OEM torque is WAY too much for ARPs, for one, you are moving a nut not a bolt...

I am pretty sure (Edit: - Deffo) it is 65ft/lb. There are people that use from 50 up.

I did 25, 45, 65. Remember that you have to use ARP lubricant with these figures, put it on the treads, washers etc...

Ok, I will use 3 steps, 25-45-65 lb/ft and the arp grease of the kit

what head gasket have you got?

[Simons]

This is why there is so much confusion!

I read many threads but I couldn't find a clear answer

[madpugger]

Ok, I will use 3 steps, 25-45-65 lb/ft and the arp grease of the kit

what head gasket have you got?

Reinz/OE Audi (same thing)

[Phil Payne]

11mm ARPs? 88 is WAY too much IMO. IIRC the OE bolts are 85, and as they are bolts they have a higher friction on the threads etc.

Thanks to Pirvu Eugen for the original documentation - it's nice to have the manufactur's black-on-white and it does indeed say 80 lb/ft with their lubricant.

I'm surprised. The Audi 40Nm, 60Nm and 180 degrees CERTAINLY produces more than 85 lb/ft. I've never actually measured the torque, but I know that if I do up a head with my normal extra-long FACON 1/2" tool I'm pretty knackered by the end of it.

My tool of preference is a 3/4" drive extra-long breaker bar, and even with that you feel the last few tens of degrees.

A friend has an electronic Snap-Off torque wrench that can be used in recording mode - opportunity permitting I'll use it on the next head I do and see what the Audi torque-to-yield procedure produces. But I'll bet it's a DAMN sight more than 85 lb/ft.

[madpugger]

Thanks to Pirvu Eugen for the original documentation - it's nice to have the manufactur's black-on-white and it does indeed say 80 lb/ft with their lubricant.

I'm surprised. The Audi 40Nm, 60Nm and 180 degrees CERTAINLY produces more than 85 lb/ft. I've never actually measured the torque, but I know that if I do up a head with my normal extra-long FACON 1/2" tool I'm pretty knackered by the end of it.

My tool of preference is a 3/4" drive extra-long breaker bar, and even with that you feel the last few tens of degrees.

A friend has an electronic Snap-Off torque wrench that can be used in recording mode - opportunity permitting I'll use it on the next head I do and see what the Audi torque-to-yield procedure produces. But I'll bet it's a DAMN sight more than 85 lb/ft.

This is half the problem though... My kit does not say 80Ft/Lb! I will dig it out when I get home...

[Phil Payne]

This is half the problem though... My kit does not say 80Ft/Lb! I will dig it out when I get home...

As a Nebenbei - what problem (real or perceived) are we trying to solve?

Audi's bolts seem to have served well in production and competition cars.

[madpugger]

Nothing wrong with Audi bolts, apart from they are one use items...

ARP studs are re useable.

[Phil Payne]

Nothing wrong with Audi bolts, apart from they are one use items...

ARP studs are re useable.

Ah, OK.

But Audi's bolts require no post-tightening - from what I read here (no personal experience) ARP requires checking after a hot-cold cycle, 250 miles and 1,000 miles. For most (all?) of my customers that's impractical.

Plus on 20V engines there's a fair amount of wear and tear on the cam cover gaskets getting back in and out.

[madpugger]

Yes I can see that being an issue. I guess ARP is a benefit for 'self fitment' where you may have a need to remove the head a few times. For a standard head gasket replacement due to blown gasket etc, audi bolts are probably a better bet.

[Pirvu Eugen]

I dont know.....but...maibe, iff we tight the arp's at this 80 ft/lbs will not require retorque.
I have tight the bolts received with this torque...80ft/lbs disregarding the figures given by you guys here on the forum . I have installed an old cam cover gasket just to heat up the engine first time and then i will remove and recheck the torque.
I will let you know the result. Iff i will be able to retorque the bolts with the torque wrench fixed at 65 ft/lbs.
All the best!

[Simons]

Reinz/OE Audi (same thing)

What do you think about elring? I hear that it was a good brand

A friend has an electronic Snap-Off torque wrench that can be used in recording mode - opportunity permitting I'll use it on the next head I do and see what the Audi torque-to-yield procedure produces. But I'll bet it's a DAMN sight more than 85 lb/ft.

Thanks for the test

[madpugger]

I think RWD19T? uses them... So must be good. He will be able to advise on your torques too.

[Bram]

We used 90Nm on the ARP head studs. Using wider washers, as the OEM ARP washers are too narrow.

[madpugger]

We used 90Nm on the ARP head studs. Using wider washers, as the OEM ARP washers are too narrow.

Thats good to know, thats ~65 ft/lb which is what I used and JP suggested to me too