Intake Gasket Replacement

[dksob81]

How important is the rocker arm TORQUE Peocedure.

I just replaced the Intake Manifold Gasket (Upper and Lower) on a 03 Buick Century 3.1L. I didn't follow the torque procedure for the Rocker Arms, I just tightened them until the pedestals bottemed out which I doubt would even be close to 10+ft/lbs.

What consequences do you think I will have without torqueing the rockers arms down?
Do you think this could do any harm to the engine?

[HotZ28]

No harm to the engine unless they come loose, then of course you will here them tapping before any damage occurs.

[dksob81]

What if they were tighter then the 10+ ft/lbs, do you think that would cause any harm to the engine?

[BNaylor]

On the VIN "J" 3100 V6 engine you should follow the following:

Torque the rocker arm bolts to 124 in. lbs., ensuring that the pushrods are properly seated in their cups. Listen for the sound of oil being compressed from the lifters. You may need to make several passes to ensure that the proper torque has not been compromised by the lifters bleeding down. After this initial step, torque the bolts an additional 30 degrees.

The obvious sign of improper torque on the rockers would be lifter noise. Any valvetrain noises?

[HotZ28]

Typically, when a fastener is over-torqued, it will stretch beyond its useful limits. When this happens, the bolt yield strength would be exceeded; therefore, essentially the bolt has been destroyed and should be replaced.

Mac Tools philosophy on the subject: “After the correct fastener and material have been chosen, the design engineer establishes the exact amount of torque to be applied. This torque specification will induce a stress or elongation of the bolt of approximately 60-70 percent of its ultimate elastic limit.”

[dksob81]

The vehicle runs fine, no lifter noise (ticking/tapping) or anything, but I did notice a rattling noise coming from the engine when I would rev the engine today (happened once, kind of sounds like pinging) and yesterday when it was idling I heard a crunching noise, not a constant noise tho, after about an hour of idling - it reminded me of bearings in a wheel on a bike (BMX) when they go bad and get chewed up, it did this about 3 or 4 times and went away I figured it might have been some debris or dirt or something. I don't know if the noise was there before replacing the intake gaskets, it's not my vehicle.

[tnt_heavychevy]

We had followed the two step procedure, and lookin at a different perspective , all it is is pretty much "snug" them and then a little more ,lol, an i think an amateur would have an alright time just feelin' whats right and get it in the ballpark no harm done. my two 3.1's have been pretty good about workin' themselves out , can't be goin too wrong with them. good engines after you get over that little speed bump with the manifold gasket,LOL