Recommended tools?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
the longest pair of needlenose pliers you can find are also a welcome addition to the tool box! they got me out of numerous issues! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
1. a good set of combo wrenches ( box on one end,open on the other)
2. floor jack and stands.
3. a set of socket wrenches, 3/8 drive is a good place to start
4. a decent set of plyers
5. a decent set of vice grips
6. a decent set of allen wrenches
7. a cheap electrical circuit tester,"ice pick" type probe
8. Repair manual
9. oil filter wrench
Do NOT buy cheap tools. They are frustraiting AND dangerous.
The above listed will get you started and do most simple jobs. Keep an eye on yard sales for a decent tool box..the biggest you can afford. box type tool boxes,with the handle on top are great for carrying into a junk yard for scrounging parts. They grow to small very quickly for home use. 1/2 inch drive sockets are an excellent choice to add to existing collection as are deep well sockets, extra extensions, swivels.
a pair of safty glasses wouldnt hurt either.
2. floor jack and stands.
3. a set of socket wrenches, 3/8 drive is a good place to start
4. a decent set of plyers
5. a decent set of vice grips
6. a decent set of allen wrenches
7. a cheap electrical circuit tester,"ice pick" type probe
8. Repair manual
9. oil filter wrench
Do NOT buy cheap tools. They are frustraiting AND dangerous.
The above listed will get you started and do most simple jobs. Keep an eye on yard sales for a decent tool box..the biggest you can afford. box type tool boxes,with the handle on top are great for carrying into a junk yard for scrounging parts. They grow to small very quickly for home use. 1/2 inch drive sockets are an excellent choice to add to existing collection as are deep well sockets, extra extensions, swivels.
a pair of safty glasses wouldnt hurt either.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
welcome to the forum!!!
It looks like everyone gave you some good advice. Now I'll give you some. I own an 82 crossfire and you need all the basic tools from sear (buy the biggest set you con afford also you will need a multi meter for checking voltage,some penitrating oil and all the manuals you can find on the 82.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
It looks like everyone gave you some good advice. Now I'll give you some. I own an 82 crossfire and you need all the basic tools from sear (buy the biggest set you con afford also you will need a multi meter for checking voltage,some penitrating oil and all the manuals you can find on the 82.
For a more advanced set, I am looking at this set.
I am looking at this for a multimeter.
As far as the jack goes, I'm looking at this one for a good package. I'm looking at these for the other two stands.
Thus, the price for all that is $377.96. If I go for the advanced tool kit, it comes out to $727.85. I am willing to spend up to $1000 at the most for the tools.
What do y'all think?
Last edited by habu987; Aug 28, 2007 at 10:29 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
One of the very few advantages of getting older is the ability to buy more stuff. I have spent more money on tools then I should admit but the reality is I use my Craftman stuff from Sears more then anything else. I have a freind who is a Snap-On rep and have bought a few things from them and they are very nice tools but WAY over priced. And he uses Craftsman on his racecar!
I agree completely on getting the best set from Sears that you can and remember they are ALLWAYS going on sale. I never buy anything from them that isn't because you know that it will be - just ask the sales person as they are pretty good about telling you when a sale is comming up. Around Christmas everything goes on sale. In most Sears stores there is a small section of discontinued stuff and I often see multi-meters in there cheap. Also, be sure to get Craftsman and not their off brand as only the Craftsman hjas the lifetime guarentee - and they do honor it.
A good floor jack and four jack stands are a must have. Spend a little more and get the jack stands that have a wider base and go higher - only a few bucks more and allows much more room when you are on your creeper - you do need a creeper.
I agree completely on getting the best set from Sears that you can and remember they are ALLWAYS going on sale. I never buy anything from them that isn't because you know that it will be - just ask the sales person as they are pretty good about telling you when a sale is comming up. Around Christmas everything goes on sale. In most Sears stores there is a small section of discontinued stuff and I often see multi-meters in there cheap. Also, be sure to get Craftsman and not their off brand as only the Craftsman hjas the lifetime guarentee - and they do honor it.
A good floor jack and four jack stands are a must have. Spend a little more and get the jack stands that have a wider base and go higher - only a few bucks more and allows much more room when you are on your creeper - you do need a creeper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I agree with what a lot of poeple have suggested. A good quality socket wrench set with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 in drive, open and box end wrenches, a good floor jack and jack stands, (I'd get 4 stands), and if you can swing it with the $1000 an air compressor is a great thing to have. I use my air ratchet, and impact wrench all the time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
$1000 is a very good budget to begin building a tool set with and it looks like you have made some good choices.
A couple suggestions tho, checkout ebay for craftsman tools, there are some good buys out there. When I go to a garage or yard sale I pickup craftsman tools for the warrenty, have taken in many broke ratchets and pliars in for no questions asked replacement, got some fer free and others I paid .50 or $1 for.
Check out Harbor freight for their 6 ton jackstands, they are taller which is a good thing, might save a buck or two there too.
Start making plans to buy more tools and a bigger tool box, you will need it
A couple suggestions tho, checkout ebay for craftsman tools, there are some good buys out there. When I go to a garage or yard sale I pickup craftsman tools for the warrenty, have taken in many broke ratchets and pliars in for no questions asked replacement, got some fer free and others I paid .50 or $1 for.
Check out Harbor freight for their 6 ton jackstands, they are taller which is a good thing, might save a buck or two there too.
Start making plans to buy more tools and a bigger tool box, you will need it
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
When dealing with the Crossfire motor you will need one of the most important tools ever...a "very" handy tool called a Manometer used to balance the TBs which you'll more than likely have to do. You can also make one if you want to go real cheap. Another tool handy to have is a FP regulator adjustment tool, which you will need as well and of course something to measure the FP with.
Other than that and the above mentioned tools, you should be good to go. Send me a PM if you have any other questions on a CFI motor.
Other than that and the above mentioned tools, you should be good to go. Send me a PM if you have any other questions on a CFI motor.
Last edited by Buccaneer; Aug 28, 2007 at 09:06 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
If you have the money, I would go with the advanced tool set. Nothing like having the tool you need, when you need it. You'll probably buy most of the difference in tools anyway, as you go along, might as well get them now.Your math is off,, it should be 627, not 727 as the 250 buck price diff in the sets,,, multi-meter is fine, though you might want to get one that does RPMs too. I would go Craftsman and stay away from any forgien junk. My first ratchet set was a Tiwian special, and I still have the scars on my knuckles to prove it. Go USA made, for your base set. good set-up. 
Crescent is also good.
Crescent is also good.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Aug 29, 2007 at 03:19 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
This set you mentioned would work well for you: Craftsman 263 pc. Mechanics Tool Set ® Sears item# 00933263000 Mfr. model# 33263
Check it out- the trays are fitted for the tools. It should easily fit in the 78-. Then make a list of what tools you want to add.
Check it out- the trays are fitted for the tools. It should easily fit in the 78-. Then make a list of what tools you want to add.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
BUT honestly a good LARGE set of sockets etc will get you started PLUS AN ASSEMBLY MANUAL and a factory
shop manual ARE musts...
Over the years I have accumulated tons of tools. BUT stock up on 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 & 5/8 inch Open and boxed end wrenches...IN DUPLICATE....
Buy what you need when you need them and in 40 years you will always have what you need...HOWEVER
you may have to drive over to your sons garage to
retreive a few now and then....To solve that problem I paint all my tools BLUE...and I make a tour of my sons
garage every time I visit...
The above trick I learned from my Dad...(his were yellow) if I needed one of his tools I hid them before he came over ..
Bob G.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1,485
From: Little Rock AR
You need beer. 
and a Motive Pressure Bleeder.
and a block of wood
and a large c-clamp
and a vise grip set
and a non digital multi-meter
and beer.
and the AIM
and the Doc Rebuild catalog
and a wheelbarrow full of money
and beer.
I am sure I have forgotten something.
-Mark.
and a Motive Pressure Bleeder.
and a block of wood
and a large c-clamp
and a vise grip set
and a non digital multi-meter
and beer.
and the AIM
and the Doc Rebuild catalog
and a wheelbarrow full of money
and beer.
I am sure I have forgotten something.
-Mark.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
You need beer.
and a Motive Pressure Bleeder.
and a block of wood
and a large c-clamp
and a vise grip set
and a non digital multi-meter
and beer.
and the AIM
and the Doc Rebuild catalog
and a wheelbarrow full of money
and beer.
I am sure I have forgotten something.
-Mark.
and a Motive Pressure Bleeder.
and a block of wood
and a large c-clamp
and a vise grip set
and a non digital multi-meter
and beer.
and the AIM
and the Doc Rebuild catalog
and a wheelbarrow full of money
and beer.
I am sure I have forgotten something.
-Mark.
with. Its always best when you have a couple of friends who can lend a hand from time to time and from who you can "borrow" the occasional tool from.I agree with the Craftsman tool set, get the biggest one you want to spend money on and get that one. You will be adding to it over time anyways so its a good place to start.
DISCLAIMER: Snap On are the best tools in the industry.
Snap On makes sense only if you are a professional mechanic because you can write off part of the tool cost on your taxes, which makes the "discounted" price quite competetive. I was a profesional mechanic for years before going into computers and I am STILL kicking myself for selling my Snap On set. That being said, I bought a Craftsman set and I am pleased with the tools over all, and at about 80% less then Snap On how can you say no? If I had the spare $35K I would gladly replace my Craftsman with Snap On but thats not likely to happen very soon.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mid-Coast Maine
SR71 Nickname
For what it's worth -- I used to watch the SR-71 fly out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Japan ... there was a very poisonous black snake in Okinawa with a head shaped like the SR that was named "Habu".