When should you torque down head bolts?

[YamaChuck]

What is the proper way to torque down head bolts? I know about the tightening them in the correct pattern. What I'm wondering about is should it be done with a warm motor or cold. I've heard a few diifferent views on this. What do yous (remember I'm from Upstate NY) guys think? Thanks for any input.:cool:

[85Atc350x]

I've never had the head off an atc, but on a car you torque them in 3 steps. say the torque is 90 ft lbs. You would do all the bolts at 30 then 60 then finally 90 ft lbs. This is done with the motor cold. I would check with one of the other guys to see what they say cause like i said ive only had experience with cars in this area and I dont know if this applies to atcs.

Justin

[turbo]

ok, do you ride a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke, cuz it matters in this part also, also is it liquid cooled. if 4 stroke, do as yamachuk said. if 2 stroke air, its done the same. but if it is a 2 stroke liquid cooled, the first time is cold, but, after the first time, run the machine for 15 minutes, check the torque, ride 15 minutes check the torque, repeat this 5 times, with the liquid cooling, it needs to be rechecked as to make sure the head it evenly tight, oh, when you recheck the tourque, do it when the motor is warm, it will allow the gasket to seat better, k back to the tight part, if it is not even, the liquid cooling can blow your headgasket out, and wear away at your jub and or head.

[Boofniff]

since you cant control the extior temp I always torque everything, motorcycles atv cars lawnmowers, in the manner described by Justin and then run the engine for 15 and recheck em all w/ the torque wrench never had any prob as long as it was a new head gastket, when reusing have had to redo some mostly cause the old head gasket was to far gone, on those ussally heat em up in the oven, have never gotten away with it more than once per gasket.