1925 head torque sequence

jbc

Senior Member
Good Evening Gentlemen, Can someone tell me the torqueing pattern for my T. Also, what is the torque for the head bolts. My head gasket recommends 55 LB. that seems a little high.
Thank you
 
Here is a picture that might help. 55 ft lb is about right. tighten to 25 first then bring everything to 55. Re-torque after running a while.
 

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Jack, I have never seen a Model T head torque pattern like that!

Here is the one we have always used on the Model T, A, and B Fords.

As you can see, it takes the middle down first, and then comes back to the middle out side, an flattens the sides middle to front, to middle to rear, Simultaneously.


I know somebody would ask. The first Picture is fo Model A, and B, it works the same as Model T, but here is the Model T one in the second picture.

Herm.
 

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In fact the pattern you used for an example, Jack, should not be used on any head! As you can see, that pattern skips bolts closest to the center that you need to role the head out flat.

Herm.
 
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Just as long as the head bolts tighten down in a sequence is important, the sequence can vary somewhat.

If using old bolts, and old dirty block, 55lbs straight away on a cold block is risky.

New bolts, surfaced head, bolt holes in block cleaned of any debris, and new bolt length checked to the head to be used, that will help prevent twisting off a head bolt. Torque to 45-50 lbs, run till warm, recheck to 50-55 lbs with care.
 

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This is the pattern I used when I torqued the head on my '21 touring last summer. I had a new gasket on a deck and head that were not machined. I torqued to 25 ft lbs to begin with. Then I went back and in the same order to torque the next round to 55 ft lbs. After I ran it long enough to get the motor up to temperature, I re-torqued to 55 ft lbs.Then after running it for a couple days and after taking a little ride to get it up to temp again I went ahead and re-torqued again. Though the head bolts didn't move much I'm certain that head is properly torqued. I followed the torquing sequence and torque specs as specified in the MTFCA model T Ford motor rebuilding handbook. Actually I think this is very close to the method used to torque each head on a flathead engine except they have 18 or 24 headbolts.
 
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This one in my Opinion would not be any good at all, to use if you don't want it warped! You have to tighten from the inside out, closest to NO. 1 center bolt, all you have to do is look at which one is the next closest to NO. one, after the center row is done.

Herm.
 
Really an interesting subject. I think you could almost come up with your own. I think it's very important to start in the center of the head and tie that down first. Then work your way out and toward the ends of the heads. What has anyone done to find if this subject has been covered anywhere else on the internet. I mean beyond the MTFCA or MTFCI? Hey, I know I'll take a look.
 
Also from MTFCI. Which is the one Jack showed in the first place. I think I'd use the other one from MTFCI long before I'd use this one. But then I'm pretty much a novice and this stuff.
 

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The only way any number would change in this pattern, is if you went right, or left. The Pattern is the same, just the numbers can change on the bolt hole. Herm.
 
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This one can never be right, as number 6 & 7, have smaller numbers on both sides, that should have done first. That makes all the rest wrong. Herm.
 
Well; at least the first bolt to tighten is ok! This came from a posting on the MTFCA forum, obviously scanned from a book. Another case of taking for granted that published information is correct. I think if I had studied the sequence I would have noticed the strange idea it shows.

In any case I would tighten the bolts down in stages as others have mentioned & follow a pattern that woks out from the center.

Kinda reminds me of back when I was married, it was not unusual to be told I am wrong on the same subject many times & many ways! & This time I actually am.
 
Well; at least the first bolt to tighten is ok! This came from a posting on the MTFCA forum, obviously scanned from a book. Another case of taking for granted that published information is correct. I think if I had studied the sequence I would have noticed the strange idea it shows.

In any case I would tighten the bolts down in stages as others have mentioned & follow a pattern that woks out from the center.

Kinda reminds me of back when I was married, it was not unusual to be told I am wrong on the same subject many times & many ways! & This time I actually am.

Hey, Jack, the mistake was made by who ever put that Patteren in a book to be referenced by us Guys. Herm.
 
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