Everything is supposed to be tightened in two stages. Here's what my Helms says:

Check the rod bearing clearance with plastigage then tighten the capnuts in two steps.

1st step: 20 N•m(2.0 kg-m, 14 lb-ft)
2nd step: 32 N•m(3.2 kg-m, 23 lb-ft)

NOTE: Reference numbers on connecting rod are for big-end bore tolerance and do NOT indicate the position of the piston in the engine.

Install the thrust washers and main bearing caps. Check clearance with plastigage, then tighten the bearing cap bolts in two steps.

In the first step tighten all bolts in sequence to about 30 N•m(3.0 kg-m, 22 lb-ft); in the final step tighten in same sequence to 78 N•m(7.8 kg-m, 56 lb-ft). NOTE: coat the bolt threads with oil.



One caveat, this is from my '92 Helms which only covers the B18A and B17A, both of which do not have the girdle that the B18C has. The torque specs may very well be different.