cylinder head refitting

[ceejay]

Head off and skimmed new gasket studs and bolts ready to refit but was talking to a workmate with a Stag who had new head gaskets fitted by Yorkshire Triumph Centre I think and they told him they were torqueing the heads down to 70 as apposed to the 55 what is the opinion of you experienced TR7ers.

[fastman]

I have just replaced the head on my 2 litre, 300 miles ago. My first suggestion is to do away with those studs and bolts from the factory, and use grade eight bolts in case you need to lift the head again. I smeared the shoulder/shank of the bolts with anti-seize as well. I torqued mine to 55, brought it up to temp and cooled, then torqued again. I will give it another go in the next couple hundred miles, then it should be fine. That's the way I'm going about it. Others may have different suggestions.

[ceejay]

Thanks for the reply, that sounds like a good compromise I think I will go that way too.