Head bolts, anti-seizing compound, and torque values

[KE4AVB]

Lock washers on head bolts??? Nope. Not today. Never heard of anyone using lock washers on a head bolt, never.
Most head bolts have a slight "washer/flange" type head on them, not being an engineer, I would assume to spread the clamping load a bit. So, if you use a lockwasher, it seems it would defeat the purpose of the head bolt design. I've never seen a lock washer that is as wide as a head bolt flange.

Then you never worked on the Tecumseh that had Belleville washers on the head bolts then. I had used lock washer as I didn't have any of Belleville washers of the correct size on hand and they fairly expensive to just order a few; unless, I ordering other fasteners at the time.

[Fulltilt]

Lock washers on head bolts??? Nope. Not today. Never heard of anyone using lock washers on a head bolt, never.
Most head bolts have a slight "washer/flange" type head on them, not being an engineer, I would assume to spread the clamping load a bit. So, if you use a lockwasher, it seems it would defeat the purpose of the head bolt design. I've never seen a lock washer that is as wide as a head bolt flange.

Then you never worked on the Tecumseh that had Belleville washers on the head bolts then. I had used lock washer as I didn't have any of Belleville washers of the correct size on hand and they fairly expensive to just order a few; unless, I ordering other fasteners at the time.

Lockwashers...belleville washers...not the same animal.
Nope, never have. Every Tecumseh I've worked on that required belleville washers also had/required flat washers under the belleville washers.

[creia]

Thank you to everyone that replied. It was most appreciated, and you have given me direction. My son and I will continue to do as we have always done- clean the bolt threads and the thread holes in the block real good and install and torque them dry. This has worked for us so far (10 years) w/o any problems.
Michael

[wristpin]

If you check the headbolts on just about any L head briggs , you will generally find the two or three bolts around the exhaust valve area are noticeably less tight than the others. ( as was mentioned) I wouldn't call them "loose" per se, but they usually need to be snugged up. Every one I've ever fingerprinted needed tightening.

Never found that - they are often the ones that I find to be seized!

[Matt]

There is absolutely a different torque setting between dry and wet(lubed) threads, as you know. I dont have any magic formula that i can provide or any rule of thumb, but using anything on the threads and the required torque from the manufacturer will result in overtightening and thread/fastener or part failure.