LS head bolt torque specs and sequence
Stock LS head bolts are torque-to-yield (TTY). You tighten them to a low torque, then turn each bolt a set number of degrees. The bolt stretches and clamps the gasket. It is not reusable: a used bolt reaches the torque setting before the gasket is clamped, and the joint leaks. Install new bolts every time the head comes off.
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The 2000 Corvette 5.7 LS1 pattern (split final angle):
| Bolt | First pass | Second pass | Final pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| M11, bolts 1–10 | 22 ft-lb, in sequence | +90°, in sequence | +90° on bolts 1–8; +50° on bolts 9 and 10 |
| M8, bolts 11–15 | 22 ft-lb, starting at center bolt 11 and alternating outward | — | — |
This is not a generation split. The 2000 Corvette uses the split final above. The later procedures we checked use one final angle: 22 ft-lb, then +90°, then +70° on every M11. Those engines include the 2005 CTS 5.7, 2007 Silverado 5.3, 2007 Escalade EXT 6.2, 2007 Corvette 7.0, 2010 Silverado 6.2, 2011 Escalade 6.2, 2012 Corvette 6.2 and 2016 Chevrolet SS LS3. On the other engines in that list, the M8 step is 22 ft-lb, starting at center bolt 11 and alternating outward. For the 2007 Corvette 7.0 (LS7), the M8 torque is Unconfirmed; do not treat 22 ft-lb as fact on that engine. The model year of that change is Unconfirmed, so match the procedure to your engine, not to a guessed Gen III/Gen IV cut-off.
Sequence. The ten M11 bolts (#1–10) go in the numbered sequence in each of the three passes. On the 2000 Corvette, bolt 1 is the center of the upper large-bolt row, bolt 2 is directly under it, and the count steps outward to bolts 10 and 9 at the ends of that upper row; those two end bolts take the +50° final on that engine. The five M8 bolts (#11–15) go after the M11 passes, starting at center bolt 11 and alternating outward. The numbered map is in our torque guide.
Prep before you torque. Clean each hole of old threadlocker, spray cleaner in, and blow it dry. A dirty or wet blind hole changes the clamp and can crack the deck. Do not oil or grease the threads unless the procedure for your exact engine says to. Clean the block and head decks, set the gasket dry unless the gasket maker says otherwise, and use an angle gauge for every degree step. A torque wrench alone cannot do the angle passes.
LSA and LS9 exceptions. The 2009 CTS 6.2 supercharged (LSA) uses M11 head bolts: 37 ft-lb, then +80°, then +55°, with the M8 bolts at 22 ft-lb. The 2011 Corvette 6.2 supercharged (LS9) is the M12 exception: 15 ft-lb, then 60 ft-lb, then +90°, then +45°, with the M8 bolts at 22 ft-lb. Do not use the LS1 or the single-final numbers on either engine.
Why the two patterns differ. On the 2000 Corvette the two end bolts of the upper large-bolt row take the shorter final angle. The later procedures apply one +70° final to every M11. Using the wrong final changes the clamp load: match the pass to the engine and the published procedure, not to a guessed year split.
After the heads are on, recheck the valvetrain: rocker bolts are 22 ft-lb, turning the crank so each lifter is on the base circle before you torque its rocker. Then set the valves and check for pushrod preload before the first start.
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