torque question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: colchester CT
torque question
Is there a standard conversion of foot pounds to inch pounds? It seems that most of the torque wrenchs I have found are in ft pounds. Are 12 inch pounds equal to 1 ft pound. I have not had much use for the inch pound wrench so I don't want to spend $60 for an inch pound torque wrench if I don't have to. I need it to replace a crankcase gasket on a golf cart engine. I don't want to over torque by hand and crush it or under torque and have it leak. I know there are some vette parts that require inch pounds so I was wondering if it's worth buying or if there is a conversion that I can use. I have a 5lbs to 100lbs footpound torque wrench already. Thanks
Le Mans Master
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
Safety Car
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From: San Marcos CA
I wouldn't trust a 100 lb/ft torque wrench to accurately do 5 lb/ft. Quite honestly you could just do it by hand with a little locktight and common sense. That would be preferable to breaking off bolt heads by over trusting a tq wrench.
bearing loads (structural assemblies) and heads bolts etc I always torque, but cover plates and oil pans- you can just look at the thread pitch and fastener size for estimated torque range and just get it tight enough to not come loose.
bearing loads (structural assemblies) and heads bolts etc I always torque, but cover plates and oil pans- you can just look at the thread pitch and fastener size for estimated torque range and just get it tight enough to not come loose.
Thread Starter
Drifting
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From: colchester CT
Melting Slicks
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From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
I can see your reluctance to put money into an inch pound torque wrench but if you work on your vette much it's worth it IMO. I messed up and bought a new torque wrench that was on sale at Sears. Only realized when I went to use it the first time that is was inch pounds. After cussing a few times I went a bought a foot pound one. Turned out I used both about the same on my engine and was glad to have them. I agree with Mike100 that some things just need to be tighted down using common sense. In my case I didn't know if I was in over my head so I went by the book in most cases.
Instructor
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From: Macedon (near Rochester) NY
I ruined two oil pan gaskets before figuring out that I suck at going by feel, and that my 3/8in torque wrench doesnt work too well below about 20, even though it can be set down to 5. Even the $20 harbor freight 1/4in one has been better for me than trying to guess.
Team Owner
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everything I torque below 15 lbs-ft is "hand-tight" with a small 1/4 rachet, I'd use the 3/8 rachet for 20-25. I use the 3/8 torque wrench for 30 to 75 and the 1/2 TW for the rest.
I have a chart in my garage that describes the torque used if you use an extension. I'll scan it tomorrow and post it here.
I have a chart in my garage that describes the torque used if you use an extension. I'll scan it tomorrow and post it here.
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From: San Marcos CA
Now that would be some useful info. I always tried to use no extension, or maybe a 1" one, but I'm quite sure that extension twist rates can be calculated- tire shops use those torque sticks-same thing pretty much.
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St. Jude Donor '10
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Drifting
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From: colchester CT
I'm glad I started this thread. Was really ignorant on the subject. Just snapped off a bolt on the crankcase cover I was replacing. Did the inch pound to footpound conversion however, I used an extension. When you think about it, which I did not, you are increase the fulcrum, sort of like using a breaker bar. At least thats my take. The bolt need 250 inch pounds which I figure out to about 20 ft pounds. Used a harbor freight torque wrench. I'll be buying a good inch pound wrench. I like to find things out the hard way. Thanks for all the great info guys, the conversion charts are going in the garage. I love learning new info
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St. Jude Donor '10
I'm glad I started this thread. Was really ignorant on the subject. Just snapped off a bolt on the crankcase cover I was replacing. Did the inch pound to footpound conversion however, I used an extension. When you think about it, which I did not, you are increase the fulcrum, sort of like using a breaker bar. At least thats my take. The bolt need 250 inch pounds which I figure out to about 20 ft pounds. Used a harbor freight torque wrench. I'll be buying a good inch pound wrench. I like to find things out the hard way. Thanks for all the great info guys, the conversion charts are going in the garage. I love learning new info
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
That's not the type of extension they are referring to. It states in the NOTE portion, that a regular extension does not change torque.
I'm assuming there's an adapter you can use to make the torque wrench 'longer' from handle to socket (I've never seen one before).
Just wouldn't want someone to break off a bolt by using the chart and a 12" extension (standard).
I'm assuming there's an adapter you can use to make the torque wrench 'longer' from handle to socket (I've never seen one before).
Just wouldn't want someone to break off a bolt by using the chart and a 12" extension (standard).
Last edited by socalman; Apr 12, 2011 at 12:13 PM.
Team Owner
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I read that but, like you mentioned I've never seen an extension other than the ones we all know.
I've use extensions on torque wrenches and I guess the torque was right on because the bolts or nuts never came off and I dont do wimpy driving.
I've use extensions on torque wrenches and I guess the torque was right on because the bolts or nuts never came off and I dont do wimpy driving.
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St. Jude Donor '10
In Line Torque Adapter
Instructor
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From: Lake Hughes Ca.
St. Jude Donor '10
I was a real young kid when I worked on my first engine, an old Ford flat head. I asked the old man that lived next door, "what are the head bolt nuts torqued to". His reply? "Tighten until the stud breaks, then back off half-a-turn". LOL
Extensions = no change in torque
Torque Adapter = use formula that PLRX showed
Do not use the buttom 20% of torque wrench highest capibility.
(Industry standards)
Extensions = no change in torque
Torque Adapter = use formula that PLRX showed
Do not use the buttom 20% of torque wrench highest capibility.
(Industry standards)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: backwoods upstate ny
those are extensions...no change to torque IF USED CORRECTLY (putting several extensions together and creating a 'curve' in them can cause some error in torque read.
Socalman pic of a 'torque adapter' is a 'multiplier' to us 'ol timers...i have a multiplier that doubles the lever arm of my 100# torque wrench, thus allowing up to 200# torque to be applied/measured...'Snip-on' uses expensive new names to get big $ for their goods.
Socalman pic of a 'torque adapter' is a 'multiplier' to us 'ol timers...i have a multiplier that doubles the lever arm of my 100# torque wrench, thus allowing up to 200# torque to be applied/measured...'Snip-on' uses expensive new names to get big $ for their goods.