Cadillac Repair: head gaskets, head bolts, head gaskets

Question
To torque the head bolts on a 1997 4.6 northstar caddy deville concours do I need to torque in foot lb or inch lb? And what is the diffrence if there is any? And also does it make a diffrence if the cylinder head cam moves when the cylinder heads is off the block?
And how do you set cam timeing?

Answer
Hi Jeff, To torque the head bolts will require you to torque in FOOT POUNDS and then turn the bolt an additional number of degrees so you will need a torque wrench rated in ftlbs and a special protractor that a socket fits on and breaker bar to turn it. The differance is that there are 12 inch pounds for every foot pound. Inlbs are uses when torqueing lite duty fasteners or screws such as carburators, fuel injection  pressure regulators, trans valvebodys and pans or anything else that requires low torque or less then 10ftlbs because that is about the lowest setting for that type wrench. So 120inlbs is 10ftlbs. I think you can see where this is going in that if an engine can create 180psi in a cylinder, multiply that by 3-4 cylinders on a head and the headgasket for example wouldn't seal very long tightened to 120inlbs but at 120ftlbs or 1440 inlbs the gasket would seal just fine.
The camshaft can be turned once the head is off the block without any problems so long as before it is reinstalled the camshafts are back to the same position as when the engine was dissassembled. I believe all manufacturers say to turn the engine so #1 cylinder is in the firing position because that is how the manuals show the timing belt/chain line-up marks. Make sure you use the hex spot on the camshaft to turn it because turning the bolt might cause the bolt to weaken or break. Be careful that valves aren't hit when open or the engine won't run correctly.
To set cam timming there should be a procedure in the manual. If not then you will need a differant manual as there are pictures that show line-up marks and how everything goes back together that I couldn't show or explain here. Hope that helps. Bill