Torque Specifications

Complete factory and ARP torque specs for LL8 Vortec 4200 assembly.

Critical Assembly - Head Studs

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Step 1: Tighten studs #1 thru 10 (11mm) to 25 lb-ft

Step 2: Tighten studs #1 thru 10 (11mm) to 50 lb-ft

Step 3: Tighten studs #1 thru 10 (11mm) to 80 lb-ft

Step 4: Tighten nuts 11 thru 15 (8mm) to 28 lb-ft

CRITICAL: Use ARP Ultra-Torque Assembly Lubricant ONLY. Do NOT use motor oil.

Cylinder Head Bolt - 14	22 lb-ft + 155°
Cylinder Head End Bolts - 2 short	First: 62 lb-in Final: 60°
Cylinder Head End Bolts - 1 long	First: 62 lb-in Final: 120°
Cylinder Head Access Hole Plug	44 lb-in
Cylinder Head Oil Gallery Plug	28 lb-ft

⚠️ Head bolts are torque-to-yield. Replace after removal. Torque sequence critical - see diagram.

Crankshaft Main Bearing Cap Bolt	First: 18 lb-ft Final: 180°
Crankshaft Balancer Bolt	First: 110.6 lb-ft Final: 180°
Crankshaft Position Sensor Bolt	89 lb-in
Crankshaft Rear Housing Bolt	89 lb-in

⚠️ Main bearing bolts are TTY. Always replace. Use ARP studs for performance builds.

Connecting Rod Cap Bolt

First: 18 lb-ft
Final: 110°

⚠️ Rod bolts are TTY. Replace every time. ARP rod bolts recommended for turbo/high RPM.

Camshaft Cover Bolt	89 lb-in
Camshaft Position Actuator Valve Bolt	89 lb-in
Camshaft Shaft Bolt	106 lb-ft
Exhaust Camshaft Actuator Bolt	First: 18 lb-ft Final: 135°
Intake Camshaft Sprocket Bolt	First: 15 lb-ft Final: 100°
Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt	18 lb-ft
Timing Chain Tensioner Guide Bolt	107 lb-in
Timing Chain Tensioner Shoe Bolt	18 lb-ft
Timing Chain Tensioner Top Guide Bolt	89 lb-in

Oil Pan Bolt - Ends	89 lb-in
Oil Pan Bolt - Sides	18 lb-ft
Oil Pan Nut	18 lb-ft
Oil Pan Stud	97 lb-in
Oil Pan Drain Plug	19 lb-ft
Oil Filter DF 58	23 lb-ft
Oil Filter Adapter	37 lb-ft
Oil Filter Bypass Hole Plug	124 lb-in
Oil Level Indicator Tube Stud	89 lb-in
Oil Level Sensor Bolt	89 lb-in
Oil Pressure Sensor	15 lb-ft
Oil Pump Cover Bolts	89 lb-in
Oil Pump Pressure Relief Valve	124 lb-in

Intake Manifold Bolt	89 lb-in
Intake Camshaft Sprocket Bolt	First: 15 lb-ft Final: 100°
Fuel Injector Rail Bolt	89 lb-in
Knock Sensor Bolt	18 lb-ft

Exhaust Manifold Bolt	First: 15 lb-ft Second: 15 lb-ft
Exhaust Manifold Heat Shield Nut	89 lb-in
Exhaust Manifold Heat Shield Stud	89 lb-in
Exhaust Pipe Bolt	37 lb-ft

Ignition Coil Bolt	89 lb-in
Spark Plug	13 lb-ft
Coolant Temperature Sensor	15 lb-ft
Heater Inlet Fitting	33 lb-ft
Heater Outlet Fitting	33 lb-ft
Thermostat Housing Bolt	89 lb-in
Throttle Control Module Bolt	89 lb-in

A/C Line Bracket Nut at Oil Level Indicator Tube	61 lb-in
A/C Line Bracket Bolt at Engine Lift Bracket	89 lb-in
A/C Compressor Bolts	37 lb-ft
Alternator Battery Lead Nut	80 lb-in
Engine Mount Bracket Bolt - Engine	37 lb-ft
Engine Mount Bracket Bolt - Frame	81 lb-ft
Engine Mount Nuts - Upper and Lower	52 lb-ft
Generator Battery Lead Nut	80 lb-in
Power Steering Pump Bolt	18 lb-ft
Power Steering Pump Bracket Bolt	37 lb-ft
Starter Motor Bolt	37 lb-ft
Starter Motor Nut	37 lb-ft
Start Motor Stud	12 lb-ft

Torque Converter Bolts	44 lb-ft
Engine Flywheel Bolts	First: 37 lb-ft Final: 45°
Transmission Bellhousing Bolts	37 lb-ft
Transmission Oil Cooler Tube to Air Adapter Nut	89 lb-in
Front Differential Bolt	63 lb-ft

Engine Block Oil Gallery Plug - Front and Rear	60 lb-ft
Engine Block Oil Gallery Plug - Sides	26 lb-ft
Engine Front Cover Bolt	89 lb-in
Engine Front Cover Spacer Bolt	89 lb-in
Engine Front Lift Bracket Bolt	37 lb-ft
Engine Harness Bracket Bolt	89 lb-in
Engine Protection Shield Bolts	18 lb-ft
EVAP Purge Solenoid Valve Bolt	89 lb-in
Drive Belt Tensioner Bolt	37 lb-ft
Cooling Fan Hub Nut	41 lb-ft
Water Outlet Bolt	89 lb-in
Water Pump Bolt	89 lb-in
Water Pump Pulley Bolt	18 lb-ft

⚠️

Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Bolts: Head bolts, main bearing bolts, rod bolts, and flywheel bolts MUST be replaced when removed. Never reuse.

Angle Torque: Use angle meter/protractor for final torque after initial lb-ft spec. This is CRITICAL for proper clamping force.

ARP Fasteners: If using ARP studs/bolts, MUST use ARP Ultra-Torque Assembly Lubricant. Motor oil will cause over-torquing.

Thread Sealant: Use GM thread sealant on all bolts entering water jackets to prevent coolant leaks.

Clean Threads: Chase all threads with proper tap/die before assembly. Dirty threads cause inaccurate torque readings.