Torque wrench
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 142
From: Lynn MA
Torque wrench
Hello all, I would like people who know about this subject to give me a line on a torque wrench that I can use to fit into those tight areas at the header where I can get in there sucessfully to tighten header bolts to the 18 lb max that i need. I just am not having any luck getting in there for all the bolts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Isn't it more a case of how long (or short) an extension is needed? Size wise the smallest you can get are 1/4" drive, but they top out at 200 inch lbs, i.e. 16.67 ft lbs. I would say that is pretty close - maybe just an extra tweak when it clicks would do it. You will have to shop for the right size socket.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 500
From: Hilton NY
18 foot lbs is 216 inch lbs so the smallest wrench would be a 1/4" drive torque wrench with at least that capacity. For example, Lowes has a 1/4" drive torque wrench with a 250 inch lb rating and is 8" long for $55.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
I've NEVER torqued my exhaust manifolds OR headers. Never had any come loose, and never stripped any threads, either. Sometimes, you have to develop a "feel" for tightening some fasteners. Some things are just inaccessible for a torque wrench.......
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 15
Pretty sure swivel joints throw your actual fastener torque value to the low side. Unless you do the maths and adjust for the angles. I don't do the maths for that. I did once for a weird home crow's foot setup thing once. But it was hard. I think it was on a motorcycle, those get more mechanical love.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 356
From: Northville, MI
Sometimes a set of crows feet will work in those tight places, simply put a similar size nut in a vice and torque it to 18 lb-ft and then change to the crow foot and check to see if it will click at that amount of torque and adjust accordingly..
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Torquing is not necessary. Just tighten to 1/4 turn before it breaks…
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,658
Pretty sure swivel joints throw your actual fastener torque value to the low side. Unless you do the maths and adjust for the angles. I don't do the maths for that. I did once for a weird home crow's foot setup thing once. But it was hard. I think it was on a motorcycle, those get more mechanical love.