The Ford Barn

WholeNewSetOfProblems · 03-17-2025, 09:49 AM

Question: To what pressure must heads bolts be torqued down to (Model A)? Thank you!

katy · 03-17-2025, 10:13 AM

55 ft-lbs

nkaminar · 03-17-2025, 10:20 AM

Welcome to the Barn. Please tell us a little about your car and where you live.

The recommended torque for the head nuts is 55 foot-pounds. Bring the torque up in 10 foot-pound steps from 25 foot pounds. Start the engine and let it run for 15 minutes. Let the car cool down and re torque. Then run 100 miles and re torque once the car cools down. Re torque after 500 miles. Always torque on a cold engine.

katy · 03-17-2025, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

The recommended torque for the head nuts is 55 foot-pounds. Bring the torque up in 10 foot-pound steps from 25 foot pounds. Start the engine and let it run for 15 minutes. Let the car cool down and re torque. Then run 100 miles and re torque once the car cools down. Re torque after 500 miles. Always torque on a cold engine.

I was tought that on any cylinder head, start in the middle and work out in a spiral pattern.

In post #8, a 3/8" drive torque wrench was suggested. If you have to buy a torque wrench I would recommend a 1/2" drive as you might need it later for other jobs that require higher torque values.

Joe K · 03-17-2025, 11:40 AM

And don't forget to "pattern" torque according to some "force distributive" path.

Somewhere online is a "torque pattern" commonly used. You can't start at one end and work your way to the other end - rather "alternate your torqued bolts."

I see Vince Falter's "Ford Garage" site is back up and functional. He has a good page on this https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/tighteningsequence.htm

Joe K

JayJay · 03-17-2025, 12:24 PM

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Copied from my (well used) Red Book. This (front to the right) is an end-for-end rotation of the one in Vince Falter's photo (front to the left).

WholeNewSetOfProblems · 03-17-2025, 01:38 PM

Follow-up question- I'm not at home, and need to buy a torque wrench- what size are Model A head bolts- thank you very much!

Y-Blockhead · 03-17-2025, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WholeNewSetOfProblems

Follow-up question- I'm not at home, and need to buy a torque wrench- what size are Model A head bolts- thank you very much!

Wrench size is 11/16". My bad, JayJay corrected me.

I actually have the Genuine Snap-on 11/16" Obstruction Wrench for the Model A Head Nut under the distributor..

JayJay · 03-17-2025, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Wrench size is ⅝".

Head nuts? You sure about that?

The bolts that fasten the water return goose neck and the side timing gear cover are 5/8". Front timing gear cover bolts are 9/16".

JayJay · 03-17-2025, 01:56 PM

The nuts are 11/16". I use a 3/8" drive click-type torque wrench, a range of around 20-80 ft-lbs or so should be fine. There is one nut (nut #1) that is underneath the distributor. If you don't want to dismount the distributor to get to it each time you torque the head I'd suggest that you get one of these gizmos, along with a socket adapter to go from the 3/8" drive torque wrench (female side of the adapter) to the 1/2" drive of the gizmo (male side of the adapter).

And don't just bypass torqueing that nut because it's inconvenient to get to. That nut seals the gasket between the narrow parts of the #2 and #3 cylinder. That location (and between #3 and #4, nut #7) are the most vulnerable to head gasket blowout. They MUST be properly torqued.

ModelA29 · 03-17-2025, 02:01 PM

You'll need to remove the distributor or use this tool. It sounds like you are new to all wrenching on cars - buy the tool. Or get in touch with your local A club. Someone will loan you one or help you get it done.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...8661&cat=41753

JayJay · 03-17-2025, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

You'll need to remove the distributor or use this tool. It sounds like you are new to all wrenching on cars - buy the tool. Or get in touch with your local A club. Someone will loan you one or help you get it done.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...8661&cat=41753

I'd also suggest that you purchase a copy of Les Andrews' Model A Ford Mechanic's Handbook - Volume 1. Also known as the "Red Book", it is pretty much of a complete guide to service and maintenance of your Model A. Excellent reference, and written by a very nice guy whom I've had the pleasure to meet.

Y-Blockhead · 03-17-2025, 03:31 PM

JayJay, y'all going to CCRG in Visalia in a couple of weeks?

ModelA29 · 03-17-2025, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

JayJay, y'all going to CCRG in Visalia in a couple of weeks?

From what I've heard there must be 20 cars going from SoCal. I cancelled our room a couple weeks ago. The new seat for our Coupe won't be finished.

Y-Blockhead · 03-17-2025, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

From what I've heard there must be 20 cars going from SoCal. I cancelled our room a couple weeks ago. The new seat for our Coupe won't be finished.

This Sunday we are headed in the opposite direction...

JayJay · 03-17-2025, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

JayJay, y'all going to CCRG in Visalia in a couple of weeks?

Affirmative. Flying solo, my bride backed out to spend the weekend with her three sisters in Bend, OR. Bunch from our club (Santa Clara Valley Chapter of MAFCA), I’ll PM you with details.

WholeNewSetOfProblems · 03-17-2025, 06:27 PM

I appreciate all the advice. I'm thinking I don't have the competency or the confidence to tackle the torquing of these headbolts. I cannot get a response from local Model A Ford Club in Wsbg VA. Seeking any available assistance in Tidewater (located in Mathews, Va) thank you.

Ayers1 · 03-17-2025, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WholeNewSetOfProblems

I appreciate all the advice. I'm thinking I don't have the competency or the confidence to tackle the torquing of these headbolts. I cannot get a response from local Model A Ford Club in Wsbg VA. Seeking any available assistance in Tidewater (located in Mathews, Va) thank you.

If you can't get a response from a local Model A club, look up an AACA club. They frequently have Model a owners as members.
Also, if you don't want to buy a wrench like Jay-Jay shows above, I have a set of crow foot wrenches that can do the same thing. You can find a set of those fairly easily.

Y-Blockhead · 03-18-2025, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayers1

If you can't get a response from a local Model A club, look up an AACA club. They frequently have Model a owners as members.
Also, if you don't want to buy a wrench like Jay-Jay shows above, I have a set of crow foot wrenches that can do the same thing. You can find a set of those fairly easily.

Yes a crows foot will work but just be aware that when using a crows foot it lengthens the wrench and throws off the torque reading.

Better to buy the wrench JayJay shows as the wrench end is centered under the connection to the torque wrench.

My Snap-on wrench can be used on the manifold also.

Bruce of MN · 03-18-2025, 03:08 AM

I put my crows foot at right angles to the beam of the wrench to keep the lever arm the same length.

03-17-2025, 11:40 AM	#5
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,612	Re: head bolt pressure And don't forget to "pattern" torque according to some "force distributive" path. Somewhere online is a "torque pattern" commonly used. You can't start at one end and work your way to the other end - rather "alternate your torqued bolts." I see Vince Falter's "Ford Garage" site is back up and functional. He has a good page on this https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/tighteningsequence.htm Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

03-17-2025, 01:56 PM	#10
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,110	Re: head bolt pressure The nuts are 11/16". I use a 3/8" drive click-type torque wrench, a range of around 20-80 ft-lbs or so should be fine. There is one nut (nut #1) that is underneath the distributor. If you don't want to dismount the distributor to get to it each time you torque the head I'd suggest that you get one of these gizmos, along with a socket adapter to go from the 3/8" drive torque wrench (female side of the adapter) to the 1/2" drive of the gizmo (male side of the adapter). And don't just bypass torqueing that nut because it's inconvenient to get to. That nut seals the gasket between the narrow parts of the #2 and #3 cylinder. That location (and between #3 and #4, nut #7) are the most vulnerable to head gasket blowout. They MUST be properly torqued. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!

03-17-2025, 02:01 PM	#11
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,152	Re: head bolt pressure You'll need to remove the distributor or use this tool. It sounds like you are new to all wrenching on cars - buy the tool. Or get in touch with your local A club. Someone will loan you one or help you get it done. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...8661&cat=41753

03-17-2025, 03:31 PM	#13
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6,652	Re: head bolt pressure JayJay, y'all going to CCRG in Visalia in a couple of weeks?

03-17-2025, 06:27 PM	#17
WholeNewSetOfProblems Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 3	Re: head bolt pressure I appreciate all the advice. I'm thinking I don't have the competency or the confidence to tackle the torquing of these headbolts. I cannot get a response from local Model A Ford Club in Wsbg VA. Seeking any available assistance in Tidewater (located in Mathews, Va) thank you.

03-17-2025, 09:49 AM	#1
WholeNewSetOfProblems Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 3	head bolt pressure Question: To what pressure must heads bolts be torqued down to (Model A)? Thank you!

03-17-2025, 10:13 AM	#2
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,716	Re: head bolt pressure 55 ft-lbs __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-17-2025, 10:20 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,872	Re: head bolt pressure Welcome to the Barn. Please tell us a little about your car and where you live. The recommended torque for the head nuts is 55 foot-pounds. Bring the torque up in 10 foot-pound steps from 25 foot pounds. Start the engine and let it run for 15 minutes. Let the car cool down and re torque. Then run 100 miles and re torque once the car cools down. Re torque after 500 miles. Always torque on a cold engine. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-17-2025, 01:38 PM	#7
WholeNewSetOfProblems Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 3	Re: head bolt pressure Follow-up question- I'm not at home, and need to buy a torque wrench- what size are Model A head bolts- thank you very much!

03-18-2025, 03:08 AM	#20
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,808	Re: head bolt pressure I put my crows foot at right angles to the beam of the wrench to keep the lever arm the same length.