Headbolts

[donm]

After installing a new head gasket, should the head bolts be re-torqued after driving a few miles?
The manuals I've consulted make no mention of touching them again but I've had other people tell me they should be re-torqued at some point.

[divace73]

I have been told to recheck them after 1000klm of driving....

[djape1977]

after couple heat cycles re torque head bolts
after 1000km or so do it again

[bradartigue]

It was documented in service letters (in FIAT style, you did a lot of reading to get the whole story):

The first letter is talking about newly sold cars and the 1300 / 1800 mile service. This service was a free first service - oil change and check over of the car - and the dealers were supposed to torque the heads again. Apparently it was a problem, as later letters tell the dealer "look, guys, torque the damned heads at 1300 or 1800 miles after the head gasket is replaced or we won't pay the warranty repair work."

http://www.artigue.com/wp-content/uploa ... /100-9.pdf - pleading with dealers to torque the heads
http://www.artigue.com/wp-content/uploa ... 100-12.pdf - has the final torque values
http://www.artigue.com/wp-content/uploa ... 00-12A.pdf - repeating the need to torque the heads after a few miles are driven

This isn't a difficult procedure to perform; slack each bolt slightly in sequence and retorque to spec.