Agreed...loosening, especially a half turn, then re-tightening, after all have been torqued is just not necessary. I'm not sure it would hurt anything, but I don't see where it helps any.
And Denny, I think I know that it's acceptable to re-use head bolts on older engines. Newer style head bolts are made differently, of different alloys, and are intended for one-time use...it's a fatigue thing. Having said that, don't ask me where the line is, or exactly how to tell by looking at them. Seems like the newer style are thinner.
The newest engine I've ever rebuilt is a '74, and that has the old-fashioned "fat" head bolts.
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