MD spacer owners, do your center bolts stay torqued?
#16
Originally Posted by GT-Ron
+1 I'll have mine put some locktite on those bolts. In fact, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't loctite all of them during the install.
#17
Okay, so last night I rechecked the bolts after two days and numerous heat cycles. The last time I torqued the bolts, I kicked up the torque to 70 in/lbs. When I checked the bolts last night, 3 were still torqued to 70 in/lbs and 3 were about 1/10 of turn loosen or at around 60 in/lbs. It looks like 70-75 in/lbs may be the ideal torque range.
#18
Hi Dave,
I would have responded earlier but didn't surf across this thread untill now.
During the material selection process I intentionally wanted a material that would not be hard. The material is strong but it also has a moderate amount of elastic compliance. The softness will allow conformity for good hermetic sealing.
As you have noticed, the supports will essentially yeild enough to conform to the torque level as applied by the bolts. Thermal cycling is almost like an annealing process to allow the plastic to set. So when you torque it down cold, it is under stress. After a thermal cycle, the stress relieved but the spacer is still strong and will support the plenum from vacume/pressure cycles. The material KSI and support area makes it good for 1800 lbs force.
As a result, you don't need to retorque the bolts. The main criteria is maintaining a good seal and that is accomplished within the first torq application.
I would have responded earlier but didn't surf across this thread untill now.
During the material selection process I intentionally wanted a material that would not be hard. The material is strong but it also has a moderate amount of elastic compliance. The softness will allow conformity for good hermetic sealing.
As you have noticed, the supports will essentially yeild enough to conform to the torque level as applied by the bolts. Thermal cycling is almost like an annealing process to allow the plastic to set. So when you torque it down cold, it is under stress. After a thermal cycle, the stress relieved but the spacer is still strong and will support the plenum from vacume/pressure cycles. The material KSI and support area makes it good for 1800 lbs force.
As a result, you don't need to retorque the bolts. The main criteria is maintaining a good seal and that is accomplished within the first torq application.
#19
Originally Posted by Hydrazine
As a result, you don't need to retorque the bolts. The main criteria is maintaining a good seal and that is accomplished within the first torq application.
#21
So what amount of torque do you recommend? 60 in/lbs doesn't seem to do the job when torquing down the center bolts on a cold manifold. Is the 60 in/lbs recommendation incorrect and should have been 100 in/lbs? 70-75 in/lbs seems to be doing the job. By the way, the spacer is sweet. Perfect fit, easy install, no compromises, and good power.
#22
#23
#24
#25
#27
Originally Posted by dirkchokurate
where can you purchase loctite?
I wouldn't bother with it though. I think Hydrazine is right in that the plastic spacers heat cycle and after a while they stop cycling which allows you to get the bolts perfectly torqued. Mine are still at 75 in/lbs and holding fine.
#28
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
StreetStandard
Engine-Vendor
117
05-22-2020 08:21 AM
StreetStandard
Suspension-Vendor
9
01-18-2016 03:36 PM
StreetStandard
Exhaust-Vendor
11
01-12-2016 03:21 PM