max torque depends on bolt grade, bolt size and pitch...
I had mis-remembered the source. The email from HF tech support was in regards to the engine torque.
I had to replace the crankcase cover under warranty (It had a casting defect and had a slow oil leak)
When I ordered the replacement parts at HF's support line, I asked them about the crankcase cover bolt torque; they did not have the info, but checked with the factory, and
called me back later and left a message with the info; I just checked my manual, where I had written it down, and per HF tech support, the torque IS 25 foot-pounds, for dry bolts (no lubrication.)
When I tightened mine down, by the time I got to 20, it 'felt' awfully tight, so I didn't take them all the way to 25.
Per the
torque table at cncexpo.com, ISO 10.9 rated 8mm bolts can be torqued to 27.5 foot-pounds. For ISO 8.8 rated bolts, though, the max should be 18.75 ft-lbs.
However, you said 'side cover bolts.' Are you talking about the bolts for the sheet metal cover for the pull starter, or for the crankcase cover casting? The sheet metal bolts are only 6mm, and they should be torqued to no more than 7.7 ft-pounds for ISO grade 8.8 bolts, or to 11 ft-lbs for ISO grade 10.9 bolts...