Topic: Installing head/jug 76 cb550. Know the nut order and torque specs, but...

[kippstakes]

So I have the torque specs and bolt tightening order for the head/jug, but what I'm not sure of (what the manual doesn't tell me) is how quickly to tighten them down. In other words, I assume you're not supposed to just crank each nut down to torque 1-12 right away, there's probably a stepped tightening process right? SO how tight should they be on the first round, then second, then third ans so-on.. and how many times should I snug them all before tightening to factory torque?
thank you

[Dimitri13]

I hand tighten all of them, then tighten them gradually as they pull the cover flush with the head (remember you're fighting the force of the valve springs). Once the cover is flush, I torque it down.

[Doggie]

I think he is asking about the head bolt tightening, not the cover. I don't think the valve springs will touch, because you backed-off the rockers before you took the cover off. Correct?
                                       Doug

[jonda500]

You cannot torque the head down with the cover(containing the rockers) on!

I do mine in three steps after first tightening them all(in tightening order) by hand until resistance is felt and checking that the head has seated properly on the jugs. I don't think the torque matters exactly- I do 1st step about half of specs, 2nd step about 3/4, final step full torque to specs.

[kippstakes]

got it. that's what i was looking for.
thanks, guys.