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rebuilt head break-in

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Old Jul 21, 2014 | 12:16 AM
  #1  
L-Train8's Avatar
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10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 36
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From: Seattle, WA
Car: 1990 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 305
rebuilt head break-in

I just had my heads rebuilt on a 1990 TA GTA with a 305. Any advice on breaking them in? I know with a full engine rebuild you have to be somewhat careful, vary rmp's, take short trips and let the engine cool off, etc. Same deal for just the heads? Do I have to check and re-torque the head bolts after a few hundred miles?

Or since it's just the heads, I don't need to worry so much? I've seen conflicting advice on the internet and figured I'd see what this forum's wisdom had to say on the subject.
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Old Jul 21, 2014 | 07:16 PM
  #2  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,262
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From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: rebuilt head break-in

If you're using a composite head gasket, your done. If you used a steel shim head gasket like original OEM, you'll need to retorque the head bolds once.

Other than that, there's nothing to break in on heads.
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Old Jul 22, 2014 | 07:48 AM
  #3  
86LG4Bird's Avatar
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From: Bright, IN
Car: '86 Bird, 96 ImpalaSS, 98 C1500XCab
Engine: LG4, LT1, L31
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Tors, 4.88 spool, 3.73 Eaton
Re: rebuilt head break-in

Alky, I have to respectfully disagree with the need for re-torquing steel shim head gaskets. No relaxation of bolt preload with those. Some specialty gaskets require retorquing; however, unless L-train went out of his way to find an uncommon replacement gasket, retorquing wouldn't be needed.
As was said, no break-in required for heads.
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