winter maintenance
 

I plan on pulling my stainless marine manifolds to pressure test and check all the internals as well as a peek at exhaust exits to look for any signs of rust. What is the torque spec upon reinstalling . Thanks , ken

german torque,goodentite!

That's just before it breaks, right? Or is it just afterwards, then back off a skosh. Lol

In all seriousness, engine is a 502 mag, Gen v, 94 or 5 vintage.

For a 3/8-16 with a minimum of .5625 thread engagement, I would go 30ft lbs. But the key is... if you use new gaskets, you must let the manifolds heat cycle retorque, and do it once again. It all depends on the gaskets and fasteners used. You can't go wrong with letting the manifolds or headers for that matter heat cycle, torque and repeat. I know some guys will chime in and say... I only torque them once and never had a problem... well good for them. If you understand what happens with the gasket getting crushed as the heat expands the head, manifold or header, then cools down and guess what happens? Yup the bolts are not always still tight. Cometic makes a MLS gasket that you can get away with only torqueing once, because it acts like a spring during expansion and contraction.

The above method can also be used with Mikes, good and tight method. Lets face it you can't always get a torque wrench in some places if the motors are in the boat.

Thanks, I don't want to undertighten or over tighten and snap it off. Not sure what gasket is in there now as I've not removed them before. Looks like I have a lot more time now, but a lot less money. :eek:

Bare min for some Aluminum Exhaust Manifolds are 25 ft lbs and some list 30 ft lbs max . I would do a 3 pass tightening. And what was already posted - let a couple of heat cycles take place and recheck torque specs when cool.

I would torque them to 30 ft lbs max and use quality gaskets.

If I recall correctly (I think) SM might recommend 28 - 30 ft lbs

Thanks all! Ken

You know what's better than loctite........... Cross thread ! :party-smiley-048:

A very good point that BUP brought up is that you don't just go and tighten one fastener to max torque. Even if there is no torque pattern on any specific part, you must go from one side to the other side gradually. I am sure you knew that, and anyone that doesn't know that should not be working on their motors.

Lol. I.swear my wife crossthreads everything.
Yes, bwanna, I knew about starting in the center and working out, just wasn't too sure about how tight to go.

I had to retighten many of mine midseason.. some were pretty loose. That heat cycle will get ya everytime.

be careful when she's on her cycle... could be messy!!! :ban:

Cross threads bettr'n no thread!

Yeah, but then it is on to Hot flashes! No retorque for that one, lol or much retort for that matter, except roll the window down or put on a jacket dear. :rolleyes: