The engine has about 1000mi on it and 15-20 passes, should I re-torque my heads or are they ok?

Aluminum heads and felpro gaskets.

 

Yes, yes and yes

 

I should do it with the engine cold, correct?

 

No.

Not necessary. Assuming it was done right the first time, that is.

 

I agree with Sofa.
You should check the paperwork for the heads though. Some suggest re-torquing on high compression or forced induction setups.

 

theres no harm in retourqing the heads

 

What do you mean by right? I did it in 3 steps from the center out, just like in the book(rebuilding an sbc br david vizard).

They're trickflows and it's got 10.5:1 compression.

 

I mean, if you're confident you did it right, then there's no need to redo it.

Yes there is potential harm. Assuming that the thread sealer doesn't leak now, the seal can be broken and coolant begin leaking into the oil by disturbing the bolts.

FelPro SPECIFICALLY advertises "no re-torque neceesary" for their blue gaskets; has been for near 30 years now. Hence their trade name, "Permatorque".

 

I don't think I'm gonna mess with it then.

Thanks!

 

i run my car hard and have never went back and retorqued my heads.. 10.65:1, 385 spinnin to 6600rpm.. i only had problems when i rebuilt my motor.. i disturbed the bolts like sofa said, broke the seal on the locktite and started a leak..

 

I used liquid teflon, but I'm not gonna chance it. That and my rockers get in the way of the head bolts and setting them is a pain.