Head bolt retorque

Caplax40

Grand Tourer
Feb 12, 2006
202
0
0
Boise, ID
Okay here's the deal. My car is going in for a new head gasket. I'm going to be using a new OEM stocker with ARP head bolts. My car has never had a BHG. I'm having the head machined. But here's my problem:

IIRC, the head bolts have to be retorqued after 500 miles. I'm going to be taking the car on a road trip in two weeks that will most likely be about 800 miles total. Am I doomed? I don't believe there's any way I can pile on 500 miles in less than two weeks before my trip. Is the additional 300 miles too risky? I am so freaked out about CAUSING a BHG due to not doing my head gasket properly.
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
38,728
0
0
62
I come from a land down under
You can retorque in 100 miles it's not so much the distance but getting a few heat cycles into it!

Drive it daily to operating temp then shut it down over night next day repeat do this 3>4 times and you're good to go on the reTq!