Torqueing Manifold bolts

[jkcrosson]

I torqued my manifold bolts to 55 lbs. Do I re torque hot or let it cool first?

[Patrick L.]

55# ? And nothing broke ? They should be checked and snugged up a couple times. 30-40# is plenty. There is also a right and wrong way to install the clamps.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I'm also very surprized you didn't break the manifolds. Whoever said the nuts should be torqued to 55 lbs. should have his nuts torqued to 55 lbs.

Even if the nuts and studs can take 55 lbs, that doesn't mean the ears on a cast iron part can take it. Hand tight is how much to tighten them. No torque wrench needed.

[fordcoupe]

Wow you got lucky with nothing broken it's time to buy a lottery ticket

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[QUOTE=Tom Wesenberg;649658]I'm also very surprized you didn't break the manifolds. Whoever said the nuts should be torqued to 55 lbs. should have his nuts torqued to 55 lbs.
You rang? Dog here, don't scare me none, MIGHT scare Ol' Bill??
Ol' Bill always torks them 55# & never broke one & never has "hissy" or "poofy" manifold noises, 'cept once when he used a funny black 1 piece gasket. He found some paper lookin' manif. gaskets & just laffed!!?? COPPER is the ONLY 1 he uses, retorked twice when COLD! So, THERE! Buster T. (We gonna' go watch NASCAR racin' now, Ol' Bill wishes they had 1 NASCAR race, just for Model A's, HAVE CAR, WILL TRAVEL!)

[RHD]

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Here is Henry Fords torque wrench. Found in every tool kit and guaranteed to work every time.

[Aok]

I torqued mine to 20 or 25 retorqued again a few weeks later to same and no leaks. I think one of the manuals have a high torque spec in them but having worked on 40's engines I knew better

[jkcrosson]

I guess I'm lucky nothing broke. I guess re-torqueing will not be necessary.

Thanks

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by jkcrosson

I guess I'm lucky nothing broke. I guess re-torqueing will not be necessary.

Thanks

Bill say's They need re-torked twice, they do squish some. If done right, they'll last 9 7/8 years! Buster T.

[J Franklin]

I would not torque bak to 55 maybe just up to the same on all.

[columbiA]

Dont use a torque wrench on the manifolds!Just use an 8" ratchet on them & snug them down ,working out from the center.Then recheck after a run.Why people insist on using a T-wrench on an A-except for cyl head,is beyond me.

[Jordan]

I would consider un-torquing them and just snug them up. I would be afraid of the cracking after heating up because they won't be able to expand under that much pressure.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jordan

I would consider un-torquing them and just snug them up. I would be afraid of the cracking after heating up because they won't be able to expand under that much pressure.

I agree. I've been at national meets and seen people use a torque wrench on the manifold nuts and break the manifold ears at 30 lbs.

[jmeckel]

I just put a different manifold on mine, based on the books I have and some previous posts on this site I torqued mine to 35# not all at once worked up to it. In the past on other engines I have found it is best to have each nut the same amount of tight, helps keep everything evan and reduces the chances of warping. I say use a small torque wrench set at low #'s so things are the same, can't hurt and better than guessing.

[Roger V]

Ditto with everyone. I've torqued to 30 to 35 lbs, making sure the manifold ears are on the same plane(level, flat, whatever). I start torquing the inner two first, just to make sure I don't trap a bow which for sure will break the manifold. Since there were no torque specs back in Model A production, it appears that many think that since it's the same size as a head stud, it needs the same torque or they are using modern max torque charts for that size. Logically, it doesn't have compression working against it like a head.

[jkcrosson]

Alright guys, you have me convinced. I went back and took the manifold off. Fortunately nothing was cracked or broke. I went back and torqued them to 30 lbs. I pretty sure I can put 30lbs on the bolts by hand without a torque wrench and its just a guess if everything is evenly torqued. I'll put the muffler back on tomorrow and crank it again.
As always, thanks for you input.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Even on good flat,matching, manifold surfaces, I slightly loosen the 2 bolts that hold the manifolds together. If any manifold ear is higher, I grind a relief in the lower cupped edge of the washer to accomodate the higher one. Mark the relief, so you can place it properly as you spin down the nut. I, personally, have never broke a manifold at 55# torque. I torque them in 3 steps, and I NEVER have vacuum or exhaust leaks. If I had broken one, you bet your sweet bootie that I would torque them less, my Momma didn't raise No fool! (smile) Bill W.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

\my Momma didn't raise No fool! (smile) Bill W.

So your Dad raised you?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

So your Dad raised you?

Now! that's FUNNY Love you, Mike, you made my day Interesting tidbit, wherever my Mamma went to high school in the "old days", she took a class in Automobile Electrical which helped her land a job with Douglas Aircraft in Oklahoma City during WW11. She worked on an assembly line doing radio recievers/transmitters. She taught me quite a bit of basic auto electrical while "holed-up" in a boarding house as I was having treatments/surgeries from the ravages of Polio I acquired in 1937. Chief was doing his war effort at a magnesium foundry in Las Vegas where we caught up with him later. The Navy didn't want him, "FLAT FEET"!
I've had a great life. Happy Mother's Day, Momma!
Bill W.

[Onlybackroads]

It just goes to show that even the local "Model A Guru's" can give advice that doesn't seem to check out with many, many other people's advice. I was told to torque mine up to "55#, no more no less, same as head bolts." Sometimes it's hard to know who to listen to, especially when you're just learning about everything, but I suppose I will take mine down to 30# or so, and see how that works. Many different opinions in the Model A world!