new head gasket

[clevecot]

hi just had a new head gasket and head skimmed do i need to run engine in then have head rechecked or just drive it and be carefull and keep checking 3.8s-type

[oldtimer]

No need for any "running in". No work has been carried out on moving parts. Just drive and enjoy.

To be honest, I've never checked head bolts after a rebuild

[Martec]

Modern engines are designed and built to reduce the expensive bit............labour, hence they use stretch bolts, tension up and forget it but if you replace the joint then fit new bolts at a high price.

Old engines use studs that can be used a few times unless they get 'necked' anywhere. So I have always run the engine steadily for about 500 -1000 miles and retensioned the head plus at least one oli change (crap always gets into the sump). Some of this is down to it being an aluminium head that will compress a little, but more to the gasket compressing and the studs extending a little with heat.

Brian