How To Torque Cylinder Head Bolts
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Eric demonstrates the proper method for torquing a cylinder head on a BMW e30 M20 B25 engine. He emphasizes the importance of following a specific sequence: first to 30 Newton meters or 22 pounds, then 90 degrees twice. A special tool, resembling a protractor for a torque wrench, is used to ensure the correct angle of torque. The video also covers the preparation of the engine, including cleaning and oiling the bolts, and using a precise torque wrench for accuracy. Eric shares his experience with past issues of blown head gaskets and hopes this method will prevent future problems.
Takeaways
- 🔧 The video demonstrates the correct method to torque a cylinder head, specifically for a BMW e30 M20 B25 engine.
- 🛠️ A special tool, resembling a protractor for a torque wrench, is used to ensure the proper angle of torque is applied to the head bolts.
- 💡 The process involves tightening the head bolts in a sequence of stages, with specific degrees of rotation rather than just torque values.
- 📚 The BMW manual specifies a particular order and method for tightening the head bolts, including initial torque and subsequent 90-degree turns.
- 🧰 The engine has been recently rebuilt, and all components such as the head bolts and the head gasket are cleaned and prepared for assembly.
- 🔩 The head bolts are Torx type, requiring a specific tool for tightening, and are initially tightened to 22 pounds or 30 Newton meters.
- 🔄 A cross-pattern is used for tightening the bolts to ensure even distribution of torque across the entire cylinder head.
- 🛒 The video mentions a recommended torque wrench and provides an Amazon link for purchasing the special tool used, with a disclosure about affiliate compensation.
- ⚙️ The tool is used to mark the torque wrench at 0 and 90 degrees to facilitate the correct angle of rotation for the bolts.
- 📹 The video includes a demonstration of the entire process, from preparing the engine to the final tightening of the head bolts.
Q & A
What is the engine being discussed in the script?
-The engine being discussed is a BMW M20 B25, a 2.5-liter inline-six engine from a BMW E30.
Why is a special tool used for torquing the cylinder head?
-A special tool is used to ensure the correct angle of torque is applied to the head bolts, which is crucial for avoiding issues like blown head gaskets that have occurred in the past with this particular engine.
What is the purpose of torquing the head bolts in a specific sequence?
-Torking the head bolts in a specific sequence, including turning them to a certain number of degrees, ensures even distribution of torque across all bolts, which is essential for the proper sealing and longevity of the engine.
What is the first step in torquing the head bolts according to the BMW manual?
-The first step is to tighten the head bolts to 30 Newton meters or 22 foot-pounds.
How does the special tool function as a 'protractor' for the torque wrench?
-The tool helps to measure the angle of torque applied to the bolts, ensuring that each bolt is tightened to the correct angle as specified by the manufacturer.
Why is it important to clean and oil the head bolts before installation?
-Cleaning and oiling the head bolts ensures they go in smoothly and reduces the risk of cross-threading or damaging the threads, which is critical for proper assembly and function of the engine.
What is the significance of using a high-quality torque wrench for engine work?
-A high-quality torque wrench provides more accurate measurements, which is essential for engine work where precise torque values are critical to ensure the engine's integrity and performance.
What is the recommended pattern for tightening the head bolts on the BMW E30 engine?
-The recommended pattern is a cross pattern, starting from the center and working outwards, which helps to distribute the torque evenly across the entire head.
What is the second step in the torquing process after the initial 30 Newton meters?
-After the initial torque of 30 Newton meters, the bolts are then turned an additional 90 degrees, and this process is repeated once more for a total of two 90-degree turns.
Why is it beneficial for the presenter to provide a link to the tools used in the video?
-Providing a link to the tools used allows viewers to easily purchase the same equipment, which can be helpful for those attempting a similar project, and the presenter may also receive a small compensation for the referral.
Outlines
🔧 Torquing BMW E30 Cylinder Head
The video script explains the process of correctly torquing a cylinder head, specifically for a BMW e30 with an M20 B25 engine. The narrator emphasizes the importance of following a specific sequence of torque values and angles, rather than just reaching a certain torque value. A special tool from Amazon, described as a protractor for a torque wrench, is introduced to ensure the correct angle of torque is achieved. The script details the preparation of the engine, including cleaning the block deck and oiling the new head bolts. It also mentions past issues with the engine, such as blown head gaskets, and the hope that using this tool will prevent future problems. The BMW manual's instructions for torquing the head bolts in a specific order are referenced, and the script outlines the first step of torquing to 30 Newton meters or 22 pounds, followed by two 90-degree turns. The narrator also discusses the importance of using an accurate torque wrench for engine work and provides a link to purchase the special tool used in the video.
🛠️ Demonstrating Torque Tool Usage on BMW E30
In the second paragraph, the video script continues with a demonstration of how to use the torque tool on the BMW e30's cylinder head. The narrator shows how to set up the tool by clamping it onto an exhaust stud and ensuring it doesn't move during the torquing process. The tool is used to turn the bolts from one piece of tape to another, marking 90-degree increments. The script describes the process of torquing the bolts in a cross-pattern, starting from the center and moving outward, to evenly distribute the torque across the head. The narrator also addresses a minor issue with the tool's clip moving slightly and the need to apply more force to hold it in place for the second round of 90-degree turns. The video concludes with the successful completion of torquing the head and a brief introduction of the narrator, Eric, who invites viewers to subscribe for more tool and car-related videos.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Torque
💡Cylinder Head
💡BMW e30
💡M20 B25
💡Torque Wrench
💡Tightening Sequence
💡Head Gasket
💡Amazon
💡Cross Pattern
💡Newton Meters
💡Engine Rebuild
Highlights
Demonstrating the correct way to torque a cylinder head, specifically for a BMW e30 M20 B25 engine.
The importance of torquing in a specific sequence to avoid issues like blown head gaskets.
Introduction of a special tool from Amazon that assists in torquing at the correct angle.
Previous problems encountered with the engine due to improper torquing methods.
The use of a protractor-like tool to ensure the correct angle of torque is applied.
Preparation steps including cleaning the engine block deck and oiling the head bolts.
The necessity of using a high-precision torque wrench for engine work.
Instructions on how to use the torque tool with painters tape for ease of use.
The specific torque sequence for the BMW e30 engine: 30 Newton meters, then 90 degrees, and another 90 degrees.
The importance of applying torque in a cross-pattern to distribute it evenly.
The use of a torque wrench with one-click precision for accuracy.
The process of applying the first round of 90-degree turns to the head bolts.
Adjusting the torque tool for the second round of 90-degree turns.
Challenges faced while torquing due to the engine stand's mobility.
Final steps in torquing the BMW e30 head and the engine's specifications.
Eric's invitation to subscribe for more tool and engine-related videos.
Transcripts
I'm gonna show you how to torque a
cylinder head the correct way and what's
interesting is that this particular
engine this is from a BMW e30 it's an M
20 B 25
you've got to torque it a specific way
and that means the last time that you
tighten up the head bolts you got to
turn it a certain number of degrees as
opposed to bringing it to a certain
torque value to do it properly there's a
special tool that I got from Amazon it's
pretty inexpensive I'm gonna put a link
to it down below we've torqued up the
head before and maybe not with the best
results we've blown a couple of heads we
could blown a couple of head gaskets on
this car before so hopefully this is
gonna work properly
everybody's we're gonna show you how
we're gonna do it so we've had some
problems blowing up this particular
motor before it's probably because we
didn't work down the head properly we
didn't have even torque across all of
the bolts so hopefully with this tool
it's like a little protractor for your
torque wrench it's gonna help us get the
correct angle of the torque and
hopefully avoid this problem in the
future so let's show you how we're gonna
do it to prepare everything we've
cleaned up the entire deck of the block
and this engine has actually been
rebuilt recently we've got all the head
bolts here and we just oiled them up so
they go in nice and clean and we've also
cleaned up the head it's brand new
surfaced head so everything is nice and
clean and we're gonna have to tighten up
the head bolt and we're going to use
this tool over here which is basically a
protractor and what I've done is I've
put a marking some painters tape on the
zero and then ninety degree mark and I'm
gonna show you how to use it in just a
second and basically that's all that we
that's all that we're gonna do is just
we need to get these bolts to 90 let's
go over to the BMW manual here so
there's a there's an order specifically
to tighten up the the head bolts and
then on this particular BMW which is an
e30 what you got to do is tighten up the
first time you do stage one to 30 Newton
meters or 22 pounds and then you do 90
degrees and then 90 degrees again so
it's kind of an odd sequence of things
to do but that's how it works in this
BMW so let's show you first and we're
gonna do is put the head gasket on and
because everything is so nice and clean
it's a little bit slippery so if we just
put it on it actually slides ha
by itself so one of us is going to hold
the gasket in place the other one is
gonna go get the head put it on and then
one of us is going to put the bolts in
so what's gonna happen is I'm gonna hold
the gasket in place and I'm gonna put in
a couple of bolts what we're gonna do is
just put them in finger tight right now
these are Torx head bolts they look
they've got this weird torques gonna
head and you need a special need a tool
like this so I'm going to put everything
on a link in my amazon link down below
and I get a little bit of money if you
purchase this stuff off Amazon it's
certainly not a lot but I will get
compensated a little tiny bit for it so
you're gonna use these would appreciate
it if you click on my link it doesn't
cost you any more so in this particular
head it requires twenty-two pounds like
I said over in the book over there to
begin with 30 Newton meters I think it
is so we've got this nice torque wrench
this is AC CE di this is a pretty nice
one when you're doing some engine work
you definitely want to have something a
little bit more accurate I don't think
you're Harbor Freight torque wrench for
$26 what you're gonna use on your wheels
is really what you want to use when
you're torquing an engine together so
you want something a little bit more
accurate this is a mid priced option
there's some higher priced ones to take
your pick but if you're doing engine
work probably want to do it more
accurately we're going to do a cross
pattern here basically where we start in
the middle yeah we're gonna start in the
middle and then we go out and then we
move in so basically we keep the torque
we kind of distribute the torque as
we're doing it across the entire head
first round is 22 so we're gonna start
with number one there's that one and
we're gonna take those two 22 pounds
which is not very much and we'll click
and that's it only one click I know some
people in the comments of my other
torque wrench of video we're talking
about two clicks no no no one click only
never two clicks I don't care what your
grandpa said I don't know what character
next door neighbor said it's a one click
look it up on any torque wrench website
one click guys one click alright number
two is gonna be right
yeah they're alright okay so for the
next round we're gonna use this tool
here like I already showed you but I put
some tape at the zero and then 90 to
make it really easy for us it's probably
you can't probably can't see it that
well on camera but basically what we
gonna do is we're gonna put this our end
here like that and then the wrench on
this side that's it so we're gonna have
somebody aka me hold this as we go
through it so number one is gonna be
that one I believe that's what this is
the clamp onto something that's
stationary on the motor so that this
doesn't move to the pivot oh yeah
all right oh yes so let's let's put it
like two there okay so we're just
putting out on an exhaust stud yeah
pretty that's pretty good we're just
gonna turn it from one piece of tape to
the up next and that's it and one
continuous motion I don't think we
weren't that accurately for so we're
trying to do it in one continuous motion
all right so you can see how we set it
up basically so we set this soups it's
loose right now you can move it around
so we're basically gonna set it to the
zero mark pressure get set up and then
I'm gonna move the camera out of the way
here for a second here we go we're gonna
go to 90
alright I'll show what that looks like
see that's 90 that looks pretty good to
me point seven five ninety point seven
five yeah we're off a little bit so we
just did the first round of 90s and now
we're gonna do it again second round
this gonna be the last time are you
ready for this excitement because yes we
are this is gonna be harder to do this
time because this whole engine stand of
course is on wheels and so I've been
holding it and it wasn't too hard last
time but now another 90 degrees is
actually a significant amount of torque
so one of the issues we've been having
is this little clip thing here to kind
of hold the gauge in place it's moved
slightly so we're gonna try to clip it
on a little bit better and I'm gonna
have to use a little more grunt to hold
this in place go now this is the second
ninety and this one's gonna be hard
harder all right I'm ready all right
so that's how you torque a BMW e30 head
for the record this is an M 20 b25
engine that's a two and a half litre
inline-six that comes out of a BMW e30
in 1989 my name is Eric if you want to
subscribe it's gonna be right over here
I've got a whole bunch of videos on the
Toyota Supra and I love you guys love
that we have a few more tool videos
coming up as well see you in the next
one
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