i replaced the head gaskets on my 4.3 i got them to tight 1st time i then loosened them and re tightened them?

Question

to the correct torque "it leaks" my qurstion is do i need to get new gaskets or is there some type of sealent i could use on the ones i already smashed

Answer 1

You just said it.
Torque smashes the gasket evenly across the heads. If you got it within 10% of spec torque you should have been OK. If you were to loose on the first torque you should have been OK.

Too Tight you over mashed them and this is possibly the cause of the leaking

Answer 2

Unfortunately, you crushed the gaskets when you overtightened them. You need to start over and replace the gaskets with new ones.

Next time start with the correct torque setting on the torque wrench and tighten the bolts in the sequence recommended by GM. Find a Chilton's Manual for your make, model and year vehicle for the correct specs. Your local library should have one of these manuals.

Answer 3

Don't ever use sealant on head gaskets. You need new ones. They don't spring back once they're crushed. You only get one chance. Next time, follow the pattern and sequence exactly, with no shortcuts. New bolts might not be a bad idea if the old ones were overtightened. Also, make sure the heads aren't warped at all when you have them off.

Answer 4

you will have to get new ones, because when you over torqued the head gasket it compressed the head gasket to a smaller thickness off what it was new when you loosened them and torqued them again the gasket does not have as much pressure as it originally had. you also will want to get new head bolts because most head bolts are torque to yeild bolts and can only be torqed once.

Answer 5

if you over torqued them and then loosend them up replace them and try again. while the head is off take it to a machine shop and have it straight edged to check for warpage. if its warped then have both heads machined the same amount to bring back to shape. when reinstalling cote all head bolts with a thread sealant in the holes that go into water passages... if you may have to get new head bolts if those are over stretched or one time use. best bet is to replace them anyway.

Answer 6

There are a wide variety of Silicone Gasket sealers available at the auto store. You just need one that is ok for head gaskets. They are pressurized as well as exposed to oil and coolant and thus need a certain formula.

Answer 7

You never loosen them. Once compressed, that is it. There is no sealant for head gaskets, you just get another one.

Answer 8

You probably stretched the bolts, and they cannot be used again. Some are one time only use. Get new bolts and try again.