Head Bolt Torque Specifications for the 5.9 Cummins
by David Marsh
In 1989, the Cummins 5.9 Diesel engine became the first medium-duty diesel engine put in a light-duty truck sold to the general public. The engine had been used only in commercial trucks before that time. Dodge provided the engine in its Ram pickups for drivers who hauled heavy loads long distances.
Torque
When a homeowner tightens a screw inside a door frame, he's applying torque to the screw. Torque is twisting force. It's measured with a special wrench, called a torque wrench, equipped with a dial showing the amount of twisting force being applied. Sometimes the torque wrench will have a system of cams and springs that can be set to release at a pre-set torque value.
The Cylinder Head
The cylinder head sits between the intake manifold and the engine block. It forms the upper part of the combustion chamber and holds the valves to let the fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber and the exhaust gas out. It also has tunnels, called ports, through which the fuel/air mixture and the exhaust gases travel on their way into and out of the combustion chamber. The cylinder head bolts to the engine block. The bolts must be tightened with a certain amount of force. Too much force and the bolts weaken or the threads on each bolt are damaged. Too little and there will be leaks of coolant or vacuum.
Cylinder Head Torque Settings
For the Cummins 5.9-liter engines made between 1983 and 1989, the bolts in the cylinder head must be tightened to 89 foot-pounds plus an extra 1/4 turn. For engines made between 1998 and 2003, the figure is 77 foot-pounds plus the extra 1/4 turn. The bolts must be tightened in a certain pattern and to intermediate torque settings, which are usually finger tight, half of the final figure and full torque. The owner's manual has a diagram and the intermediate settings.
References
Writer Bio
In 1990 David Marsh began writing a column in the "Idaho Falls Post-Register" titled "Good Things," which presented restaurant reviews, sports analysis and movie criticism. Besides newspaper columns, Marsh researched police procedures for the Federal government. He has a Bachelor of Arts in administration and a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Utah.
