Head Re-Torque - How Often?

[Jim Ed]

I have a 1973 Beetle.
How often should I re-torque the heads?
TIA!

[SCOTTRODS]

In order to "retorque" the heads, you have to pull the tins on the engine (most of them anyway), so unless you have a dune buggy and it gives you easy access... You should only do this when you have the engine out for whatever reason. It makes little sense to torque just the lower head fasteners, which is all you can access without pulling tins. If you only torque the ones you can access... it applies Uneven torque to the head. In my opinion this is less than desirable.

[Bruce2]

Never. They don't come loose.

[sideshow]

The last time I retorqued it was to troubleshoot a leaking head, turns out the head stud pulled out of the case (late non inserted 10mm case). Generally speaking the late 8mm cases never need to be retorqued, however I see no harm in doing the lower studs as a check.