Head torque.

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

I read earlier this morning about double torquing your head after so many hours. I was shock at how off it was. I set them at thirty pounds. We will see how this works out. First time doing this. I just never thought of doing this. 

[ri702bill 11,513]

That is the primary reason for head gasket failure after a repair. Each time the engine gets up to temp & then bsck to cold, the head gasket compresses a bit more. The Kohler manual tells you to repeat "as necessary" with no definative number... 

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

9 hours ago, ri702bill said:

That is the primary reason for head gasket failure after a repair. Each time the engine gets up to temp & then bsck to cold, the head gasket compresses a bit more. The Kohler manual tells you to repeat "as necessary" with no definative number... 

Good to know Bill. I will have to do this on my other tractors I have. Thanks for the post.

[WHX?? 55,623]

I check mine whenever a tractor is in the shop for oil change or whatever. Some are loose others not. Often think about putting holes over the bolts like some head tins have to make it real easy. 

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

WHX I was thinking of getting some new jade 8`s fore the head but it does not take that long to get the Torque wrench out.

Edited March 13 by Retired Wrencher

[lynnmor 8,675]

2 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

I was thinking of getting some new jade 8`s fore the head

 

Those Jade bolts might be a little rough on your head.

 

[WHX?? 55,623]

I seldom replace the head bolts but probably not a bad idea. I know several guys do here. 

Another thing is how many guys lubricate the bolts with say anti seize or something else? 

[Gasaholic 357]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

. 

Another thing is how many guys lubricate the bolts with say anti seize or something else? 

Only EVER just lightly oil the THREADS.. (not the heads or washers) anti seize compound while it might seem a good idea will severely throw off your torque readings and allow you to overtorque the bolts leading to head warp and gasket failure. 

[squonk 45,773]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

I seldom replace the head bolts but probably not a bad idea. I know several guys do here. 

Another thing is how many guys lubricate the bolts with say anti seize or something else? 

I try to plan a "head"  and when I order a gasket I get new grade 8 flange head bolts if I don't already have them in stock in the parts dept. A little Rotella on the threads.

 

I look at the bolt heads. See how crusty they look. Most have been in there 50-60 years. I know they aren't torque to yield bolts but It is time. Especially the bolts around the exhaust valves. Cheap insurance.

Edited March 13 by squonk

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

20 hours ago, WHX?? said:

I seldom replace the head bolts but probably not a bad idea. I know several guys do here. 

Another thing is how many guys lubricate the bolts with say anti seize or something else? 

I do like anti size idea I have used many times on different parts of the tractor like axel  hubs and unfortunately enough to take a steering wheel off without having a 20 ton press I’m a head of the game there so that’s why I use it. Ohh also the front axel shaft or pin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hotajax 235]

On 3/10/2026 at 7:25 PM, ri702bill said:

That is the primary reason for head gasket failure after a repair. Each time the engine gets up to temp & then bsck to cold, the head gasket compresses a bit more. The Kohler manual tells you to repeat "as necessary" with no definative number... 

That's exactly like I read in some manual.  Forget where.  But, it didn't seem unreasonable.  I ended up doing it three times before the torque was set to the proper ft lbs.  It's not hard, just takes patience to keep going out there and starting her up.

[ri702bill 11,513]

As mentioned, I do check the head torque once a year while doing the winter change-over in the fall. I spend way more time either snowblowing or plowing than cutting grass. And the load on the engine at WOT is more than driving a cutting deck.