Torque question

My son and I are replacing both upper and lower intake gaskets on his 2000 Buick 3.1 Engine. The instructions I printed out stated that the rocker arm bolts are to be torqued to 124 in. lbs plus an additional 30 degrees after the initial 124 in. lbs torque. My question is what does the 30 degrees mean. Would that be another 30 in. lbs on the second torque to equal a total of 154 in. lbs of torque?

Also how much torque for the valve covers?

Thanks for your help. I am finding out that this job would not be my favorite job to do again.

Technically you are supposed to use a special tool called a torque angle wrench but this can be done guesstimatiing. It means exactly what it states. There are 360 degrees in a circle. After setting initial torque with the torque wrench, then adjust rocker arm bolt an extra 30 degrees envisioning a 360 degree circle.

Valve cover bolts are 89 in-lbs.

Also, if using the revised GM LIM gasket set be sure to follow procedure below. If a FelPro kit use what they recommend.


Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install New Intake
Manifold Gasket) # 03-06-01-010B - (10/24/2003)


Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install New Intake Manifold Gasket)

2000-2003 Buick Century

2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous

1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV

1997-2003 Chevrolet Venture

1999-2001 Chevrolet Lumina

1999-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, Monte Carlo

2000-2003 Chevrolet Impala

1996-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette

1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass

1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

1996-1999 Pontiac Trans Sport

1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am, Montana

2000-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

2001-2003 Pontiac Aztek

with 3.1L or 3.4L V-6 Engine (VINs J, E - RPOs LG8, LA1)

This bulletin is being revised to change the model Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-06-01-O10A (Section 06 - Engine).


Condition

Some owners may comment on an apparent oil or coolant leak. Additionally, the comments may range from spots on the driveway to having to add fluids.

Cause

Intake manifold may be leaking allowing coolant, oil or both to leak from the engine.

Correction

Install a new design intake manifold gasket. The material used in the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. When replacing the gasket, the intake manifold bolts must also be replaced and torqued to a revised specification. The new bolts will come with a pre-applied threadlocker on them.

Notice

An oil leak may result if the vertical bolts are not tightened before the diagonal bolts.


Diagonal bolts may require a crows foot to tighten.

Tighten

1. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 7 N.m (62 lb in).

2. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 7 N.m (62 lb in).

3. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 13 N.m (115 lb in).

4. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

Technically you are supposed to use a special tool called a torque angle wrench but this can be done guesstimatiing. It means exactly what it states. There are 360 degrees in a circle. After setting initial torque with the torque wrench, then adjust rocker arm bolt an extra 30 degrees envisioning a 360 degree circle.

Valve cover bolts are 89 in-lbs.

Also, if using the revised GM LIM gasket set be sure to follow procedure below. If a FelPro kit use what they recommend.

The way I understand your answer is that after the setting the initial torque then the next step is to tighten the bolt a extra 30 degrees. I take this to mean that another twist of the bolt (30 degrees) should be the correct amount of tightness. My dad was a mechanic and I remember his saying after you tighten something just give it a extra slight twist to make sure its tight.

Thanks for your help.

You're welcome. I guess that is a good analogy. That is correct but don't use the torque wrench when giving it that extra 30 degrees. I use a regular straight handle type tool with the proper sized socket attached either 3/8" or 1/2" drive size. Then break the circle down to imagining 90 degrees and then look for half that which is 45 degrees. So the 30 degrees will be less than that. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

30 degrees would be equal to the 1 on an analog clock face. Once at the recommended torque value, reset your tool straight up at 12 o'clock, then turn it to 1 o'clock and you're done.

Good suggestion Rich. :wink:

What I check for when torquing the rocker arms bolts is first torque the rocker arm bolts to 124 in. lbs. ensuring that the pushrods are properly seated in their cups. Then listen for the sound of oil being compressed from the lifters. As a result you may need to make several passes to ensure that the proper torque has not been compromised by the lifters bleeding down. After this is done then torque the additional 30 degrees. That way you don't have to go back and do it again or get weird tappet sounds like many get after it is all put back together. :uhoh:

Very good suggestion Bob. I do the same thing. I torque them down, let them set a few minutes and re-check. This will eliminate the chance of a lifter bleeding down on you, causing the infamous lifter tick at start-up on these engines.

You're welcome. I guess that is a good analogy. That is correct but don't use the torque wrench when giving it that extra 30 degrees. I use a regular straight handle type tool with the proper sized socket attached either 3/8" or 1/2" drive size. Then break the circle down to imagining 90 degrees and then look for half that which is 45 degrees. So the 30 degrees will be less than that. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
We finally got the intake gaskets replaced this last weekend. Everything went okay. This is not a fun job but DIY and one can save a lot of cash. We paid around $100.00 for everything we needed to do the repair. Thanks to everyone for all the info.