I thought MLS didnt lose torque after the final torque? Ive let my OEM MLS and ARP studs sit at full torque (64 lb-ft) for about 5 days now, and I just rechecked and I got every nut to turn an additional 1/32 of rotation. What gives?

 

1/32 of a rotation isn't ****.

It's best to retorque the head after 500 miles. Most don't though. But if it were a race car or a motor I really cared about, I woiuld. That said, I've did it on a high comp V8 I built a while back, but I've never done it to the miata. Though I may do it to the next miata engine I build.

 

usually You have to retorque when dry bolts are fastened. I didn't need to retorque any bolt that was fastened with assembly lube. You measure screw resistance to lengthening, not friction.

 

Well, this wasnt after running or anything, that would make a bit more sense. This was just after sitting. I also did it a 3rd time and got a very very tiny pop out of each nut, so maybe it settled a thousandth. Its just I always here MLS dont need to be touched after the final torque. I guess from now on I will be checking them anyway.