14psi or 20psi and re-torque advice

[Bandit1200]

1,000 miles after heads replacement I intend to re-torque the heads to 65flbf.
I fitted thick Payen gaskets, the special stud set (developed by E.J Ward) and standard inlet manifol gaskets with a light spray of blue Hylomar. The heads received only a light skim before fitting and a Weber header tank is fitted.
The car has run with no problems, a dry V and normal temp reading on guage without use of Kenlowe.
I have just noticed that the cooling system is fitted with a 14psi cap and my understanding is that a '76 Mk2 should be fitted with a 20psi cap.
What are the merits of a 20psi cap over keeping my 14psi?
Should I pinch up the inlet manifold bolts?
Also any advice relating to the re-torque process would be gratefully received.
Steve

[ChasR]

With a 20PSi cap the boiling point of the water will be raised. It will put more strain on your hoses I admit but if they are new/in good condition you should be fine.

I shall let someone more qualified speak about the gaskets but from a post Neil (Flying Farmer) mentioned the different types of head gaskets available he reckoned that whilst retorquing would not harm an engine the Payen items tend to not require it.

When you say pinch up the inlet bolts do you mean retorque them as well?

[martin]

With a 20PSi cap the boiling point of the water will be raised. It will put more strain on your hoses I admit but if they are new/in good condition you should be fine.

I shall let someone more qualified speak about the gaskets but from a post Neil (Flying Farmer) mentioned the different types of gaskets he reckon that whilst retorquing would not harm an engine the Payen items tend to not require it.

When you say pinch up the inlet bolts do you mean retorque them as well?

Do not re-torque them ! ! ! ! nip them up with an open ender or a ring, held close to the bolt, IF they start to weep, otherwise, they'll be fine. New bolts in old ally do not companions make. A 20psi cap puts the boiling point up to about 140c, this gives a considerable safe reserve and is a good thing. Martin.

[flying farmer]

It is worth giving the heads a retorque, slack each nut/stud by half a flat then retorque in the order in the manual. If they go up further they needed it, try them again in another 3000 miles. If they don't (and payen gaskets compress less than most) at least you know everything is still tight.
65lbft is a higher figure than I use, generally I use 58-60lbft, but if it is what Wards recommend with their stud kit it should be OK
I always nip up the manifold gaskets as well, but don't get carried away and strip them!
I always recon that if your engine needs a 20lb cap it has already gone past the point of no return, I have been using 13 pound caps for the last 20 years and have never had one boil yet. If you are using a header tank the cooling system will always be full, something that can not be guaranteed with the original system
Neil