Hi Russ
Sorry to hear your still having problems with your engine. Correct me if Im wrong but is your 351w got 1/2" head studs? All other small blocks have 7/16" studs which would be sufice at 85 Ft Lb but if you have 1/2" ARP studs ( and there are three different grades the most common is 190,000 psi tensile) they would need to be 100-105 Ft-Lb. One small trick Iv'e used is to increase the torque on the inside or longer studs by 5 or so Ft-Lb this evens out the clamping pressure because the longer studs will stretch further at the same torque. Sometimes the book will give you a upper and lower value eg: 80-85 Ft-Lb use 80 on the short and 85 on the long.
Also I have used Fel-Pro gaskets for years ,and seldom ever retorque, with good sucess. I hope there's something in there that may help.
Woody.
Sorry to hear your still having problems with your engine. Correct me if Im wrong but is your 351w got 1/2" head studs? All other small blocks have 7/16" studs which would be sufice at 85 Ft Lb but if you have 1/2" ARP studs ( and there are three different grades the most common is 190,000 psi tensile) they would need to be 100-105 Ft-Lb. One small trick Iv'e used is to increase the torque on the inside or longer studs by 5 or so Ft-Lb this evens out the clamping pressure because the longer studs will stretch further at the same torque. Sometimes the book will give you a upper and lower value eg: 80-85 Ft-Lb use 80 on the short and 85 on the long.
Also I have used Fel-Pro gaskets for years ,and seldom ever retorque, with good sucess. I hope there's something in there that may help.
Woody.