u/Findail

A Flathead 8BA engine calls for a head bolt torque spec of 70 pounds for stock cast iron heads and 40 pounds for aluminum. Theoretically if I torqued aluminum heads to 70 pounds, can I loosen them and re-torque to 40 without worrying about the head gaskets? I totally have not done this, and the theoretical flathead has not been started in this made up and fictional scenario.