C4 Tool Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
C4 Tool Question
From somone who has never used a torque wrench, but now finds all kinds of references to them in the 1985 Service Manual:
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA, USA
I really like the one I got from Sears. It's a breakaway model. Some have a metal pointer that points at a scale. The breakaway one, you set the torque you want on the handle and when it get's to that point it clicks. It doesn't prevent you from continuing to torque the bolt/nut, etc. but at least you don't have to be always looking at the scale. Also, it's tons prettier than the scale model.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Originally Posted by j3studio
From somone who has never used a torque wrench, but now finds all kinds of references to them in the 1985 Service Manual:
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Yeah, breakaways and click type torque wrenches are my favorites too. That's what most all of mine are. I like the breakaway for my smaller ones, in. lbs. or up to 40-50 ft. lb. 3/8" drive wrenches and I like my clicker for my larger 1/2" drive wrench. Re/ torques, factory manuals give torque specs for nearly everything. Obviously some, such as critical engine, suspension specs, etc. should be followed closely. Others are given more as a reference to make sure you get something tight enough or don't over tighten it but I doubt anyone actually torques everything for which is spec is given. Experience and common sense will do for many things but when in doubt, get out the torque wrench. Besides, it makes it look like we really know what we're doing! 
Last edited by Corvette Kid; Sep 4, 2004 at 03:37 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by OnDVirg
I really like the one I got from Sears. It's a breakaway model. Some have a metal pointer that points at a scale. The breakaway one, you set the torque you want on the handle and when it get's to that point it clicks. It doesn't prevent you from continuing to torque the bolt/nut, etc. but at least you don't have to be always looking at the scale. Also, it's tons prettier than the scale model.
I have both scales
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by j3studio
From somone who has never used a torque wrench, but now finds all kinds of references to them in the 1985 Service Manual:
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
What's a good torque wrench to get for working on a C4?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Be careful with the Craftsman, they only have a one year warranty and will only last about 4 months.
I bought mine online and the store would not exchange it for me.
The locking collar on the Crafstman will not unlock on mine, so I'm stuck at 100 lb/ft for now, as time goes on, the calibration will be off. I need to get me a new one. This will be the third in the last two years.
I bought mine online and the store would not exchange it for me.
The locking collar on the Crafstman will not unlock on mine, so I'm stuck at 100 lb/ft for now, as time goes on, the calibration will be off. I need to get me a new one. This will be the third in the last two years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,556
Likes: 0
From: Jenison MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Be careful with the Craftsman, they only have a one year warranty and will only last about 4 months.
I bought mine online and the store would not exchange it for me.
The locking collar on the Crafstman will not unlock on mine, so I'm stuck at 100 lb/ft for now, as time goes on, the calibration will be off. I need to get me a new one. This will be the third in the last two years.
I bought mine online and the store would not exchange it for me.
The locking collar on the Crafstman will not unlock on mine, so I'm stuck at 100 lb/ft for now, as time goes on, the calibration will be off. I need to get me a new one. This will be the third in the last two years.
Go with Snap-on, it will be the last one you will ever have to buy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
i guess the Craftsmans are hit and miss... i just bought my third type with no problems with my other two. however, it is true with tools that you get what you pay for.
you can also borrow torque wrenches at certain autoparts stores (i've been doing this with Autozone for years). might want to try that first if you are working on a part where it doesn't have to be dead nuts on spec (the calibration on borrowed tools are questionable), and don't think you'll be using it that often in the future.
you can also borrow torque wrenches at certain autoparts stores (i've been doing this with Autozone for years). might want to try that first if you are working on a part where it doesn't have to be dead nuts on spec (the calibration on borrowed tools are questionable), and don't think you'll be using it that often in the future.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Redding CA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...itemnumber=807
I have bought a couple torque wrenches online from these guys and have had great service and the tools have been worth the money, its not craftsman but it has been used alot and been very accurate compared to my digital craftsman torque wrench.
I have bought a couple torque wrenches online from these guys and have had great service and the tools have been worth the money, its not craftsman but it has been used alot and been very accurate compared to my digital craftsman torque wrench.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
Be careful with the Craftsman, they only have a one year warranty and will only last about 4 months.
Eric
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
We have a Harbor frieght store in our area. I saw a 150 ft lb torque wrench with case for 12 bucks! I bought it just to use as a breaker bar for tire changes at the track. For kicks I checked it against my friends 350 dollar snap-on. I could not believe it read the same as the snap on at all settings. Quality pos tool in my opinion. I won't use it to assemble an engine but works great for tire changes etc. When it "walks away" at the track I won't feel so bad.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Bought 2 breaker style torque wrenches at Harbor Freight. one in 3/8 drive with inch-lb and one in 1/2 drive in ft-lbs. The bill for the 2 was $29 !!!!
they work and they're accurate.
they work and they're accurate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by kabnvtt
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...itemnumber=807
I have bought a couple torque wrenches online from these guys and have had great service and the tools have been worth the money, its not craftsman but it has been used alot and been very accurate compared to my digital craftsman torque wrench.
I have bought a couple torque wrenches online from these guys and have had great service and the tools have been worth the money, its not craftsman but it has been used alot and been very accurate compared to my digital craftsman torque wrench.
I have one of the 1/2" models. It's made by Pittsburgh Tools, and I really like their stuff... I like my Pittsburgh stuff from Harbor Freight better than my Craftsman stuff. One of these days I'll step up to Snap On. Maybe.
