Since the stock heads were bolted down at 50ft lbs, would it be a wise idea to remove the valve cover and up the torque to the replacement standard on the factory gasket?

Not too sure on this four banger.
I work on diesels. [sm=bangbang.gif]

 

but then you run the risk of breaking the bolts off in the head you would most likly need to change the head bolts alsothis might sound stupid but there might not be enough room in theblock

 

There shoud be enough room. Not a bad idea actually. I guess it would be ok.

I would say 70lb would be better. I think 80-100 is the max for the stock head bolts on the 420a.

 

Sebba, what you think, replace head bolts or just up torque?

 

up the TQ bro

 

Thanks dood!

 

This information is incorrect as the head bolts are NOT torqued to 50ft/lbs. 50 ft/lbs is the initial torque specified BEFORE an additional 90 degrees of rotation is applied to it. The additional 90 degrees applied to a bolt already pretightened to 50ft/lbs results in a substantial increase inthe final headbolt tightening torque. The shorter bolts were pretorqued to 25ft/lbs before the additional 90 degree rotation. The additional 90 degrees will again result in a substantial increase inthe final headbolt tightening torque. The problem with the leaking headgasket stems from the headgasket itself. Switching to the updated MLS gasket will eliminate any future recurrence of oil leakage.

J

 

The reason for switching to the MLS headgasket is for one because its thicker, because the corner bolts on the early blocks were bottoming out in the block before smashing the head down far enough to create equal pressure. And the MLS is just better in general.
If you have a head milled you need to put an extra washer under the bolts, thats where alot of people have even more trouble constantly blowing gaskets.
I wouldnt torque them again honestly. The 420a is easy to replace the gasket on compared to a 4g63 so i would just change it to the newer one before it starts leaking and causes any problems.
Just my opinion.

 

Dude i swear EMonz told me himself the 420a gasket is only set to 50lb

 

ive done aboutten 420a's. 50 is initial Tq, then you turn and additional 90 degrees (1/4 turn).
i remember it definately right now cuz i just finished one up last weekend. The old Tq setting was all of them 50 except the 4 corners were 25, then turn 90, now they say go 50 on all then 90deg.