Subaru DOHC Head Bolt Torque Settings
These torque settings are taken from the Subaru service manual and are to be used as a reference. We always recommend that work is carried out by a Subaru specialist.
There are 3 torque setting procedures for the Subaru EJ quad cam turbo engines. 1989 to 2011, 2011 To 2015 & 2015+
1989 to 2011 Torque Settings
– Apply a light coat of engine oil to the washers & bolt threads
– Tighten all bolts to 29 Nm in alphabetical order
– Further tighten all bolts to 69 Nm in alphabetical order
– Loosen all bolts by 180 degrees first, back them off by 180 degrees again in reverse order of installation
– Tighten all bolts to 49 Nm in alphabetical order
– Tighten all bolts by 80 to 90 degrees in alphabetical order
– Further tighten all bolts by 40 to 45 degrees in alphabetical order
– Do not Tighten the bolts by more than 45 degrees for the next step
– Further tighten bolts (A) and (B) by 40 to 45 degrees
– Ensure that the total ”re-tightening angle” in the previous 2 steps do not exceed 90 degrees
2011 To 2015 Torque Settings
– Apply a light coat of engine oil to the washers & bolt threads
– Tighten all bolts to 40 Nm in alphabetical order
– Further tighten all bolts to 95 Nm in alphabetical order
– Loosen all bolts by 180 degrees first, back them off by 180 degrees again in reverse order of installation
– Tighten all bolts to 10 Nm in alphabetical order
– Tighten all bolts to 30 Nm in alphabetical order
– Tighten all bolts to 70 Nm in alphabetical order
– Tighten all bolts by 80 to 90 degrees in alphabetical order
– Further tighten all bolts by 40 to 45 degrees in alphabetical order
– Do not Tighten the bolts by more than 45 degrees for the next step
– Further tighten bolts (A) and (B) by 40 to 45 degrees
– Ensure that the total ”re-tightening angle” in the previous 2 steps do not exceed 90 degrees
2015+ Torque Settings – These have a revised torque setting which clamps the head gaskets a lot slower than the previous years
Step 1: Preparation:
IMPORTANT NOTE: To achieve accurate cylinder head bolt torque, a quality torque wrench and a
torque angle gauge are both required. If the torque wrench or angle gauge has not been calibrated at
least once in the prior 6 months, a calibration check should be completed. The RH and LH sequences
are provided in the images below. In addition:
a) Always clean the cylinder head bolt threads and the bolt holes in the cylinder block before
proceeding with cylinder head installation.
b) While wearing eye protection, blow out all the bolt holes in the block using compressed air.
c) Always coat the head bolt threads and the head bolt washers thoroughly with engine oil.
d) Always use a NEW cylinder head gasket.
Step 2: Install the cylinder head onto the block while being careful to not scratch any of the
machined mating surfaces.
Step 3: Tighten all bolts to 40 Nm (29.5 ft. lbs.) in alphabetical order (as shown in the drawing
below see letters A to F).
Step 4: Re-tighten all bolts to 69 Nm (50.9 ft. lbs.) in alphabetical order.
**VERY IMPORTANT: If the bolts make a stick-slip sound (Click, Creak or Squeak) or don’t feel
like they are tightening smoothly, repeat a), b) and c) as outlined in Step 1. (In this case, the cylinder
head gasket can be reused.)
Step 5: Loosen all bolts by 180° in reverse order of tightening (F to A) then loosen further by
another 180° (F to A).
Step 6: Tighten all bolts to 40 Nm (29.5 ft. lbs.) in alphabetical order.
Step 7: Retighten all bolts to 69 Nm (50.9 ft. lbs.) in alphabetical order.
Step 8: Loosen bolts E, D, and A by 360° in this specific order.
Step 9: Tighten bolts A, D, and E to 10 Nm (7.4 ft. lbs.) in this specific order.
Step 10: Tighten bolts A, D, and E to 30 Nm (22.1 ft. lbs.) in this specific order.
Step 11: Further tighten bolts A, D, and E by 98 – 102° in this specific order.
Step 12: Further tighten bolt A by 123 – 127°.
Step 13: Further tighten bolts D and E by 78 – 82° in this specific order.
Step 14: Loosen bolts F, C, and B by 360° in this specific order.
Step 15: Tighten bolts B, C, and F to 10 Nm (7.4 ft. lbs.) in this specific order.
Step 16: Tighten bolts B, C, and F to 30 Nm (22.1 ft. lbs.) in this specific order.
Step 17: Further tighten bolts B, C, and F by 98 – 102° in this specific order.
Step 18: Further tighten bolt B by 123 – 127°.
Step 19: Further tighten bolts C and F by 78 – 82° in this specific order to complete the procedure.