Torque Wrench
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Torque Wrench
HI, I am about to do the first oil change on my Z06 and Im looking for a good torque wrench? I havent had one in years but I am considering a precision dial-type not sure on 3/8" or 1/2" drive though. Any suggestions??
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Originally Posted by Bigzaj
HI, I am about to do the first oil change on my Z06 and Im looking for a good torque wrench? I havent had one in years but I am considering a precision dial-type not sure on 3/8" or 1/2" drive though. Any suggestions??
Get both. Most of what you do will be better served by a smaller, less cumbersome 3/8" drive wrench, but you'll want a 1/2" drive for lug nuts, etc.
And, if you buy them at Home Depot (Husky brand, which is good quality) they'll be inexpensive and guaranteed.
(I have Craftsman and Husky.)
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
Get both. Most of what you do will be better served by a smaller, less cumbersome 3/8" drive wrench, but you'll want a 1/2" drive for lug nuts, etc.
You'll find you won't be able to cover the full torque range you need with one wrench anyway. The micrometer adjustment handle wrenches don't go all the way down to zero torque...they only span a certain torque range. I often find I could use a third wrench to cover the gray area in the middle.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
Got a 1/2" drive Craftsman with micrometer-type scales from Sears for about $60. Excellent. You can easily add drop-down extension adapter to convert to 3/8" drive or vive versa if you go with 3/8" drive.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Originally Posted by Bigzaj
HI, I am about to do the first oil change on my Z06 and Im looking for a good torque wrench? I havent had one in years but I am considering a precision dial-type not sure on 3/8" or 1/2" drive though. Any suggestions??
For an oil change, one grunt tight on the drain plug and 3/4 turn past gasket contact on the filter. I've done thousands of oil changes and never used a torque wrench, just give it a nice firm pull.
You really should have a 1/2" good quality torque wrench for the wheels. Those lugs are real important to keep at 100 lb ft. So my vote would be to get a good 1/2" to start with because you know you will need that for the wheels.
The drain plug, just a nice firm pull with a regular length 3/8 ratchet.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Originally Posted by vetdude
Got a 1/2" drive Craftsman with micrometer-type scales from Sears for about $60. Excellent. You can easily add drop-down extension adapter to convert to 3/8" drive or vive versa if you go with 3/8" drive.
I wouldn't want to be maneuvering a 2 foot long 1/2" drive bludgeon for a small torque task any more than I'd want to be leaning on a 3/8" drive wrench for a high torque applcation.
Anyway, it's a moot point since, as stated by JmpnJckFlsh, you will not be able to cover the torque range with only one wrench.
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
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
Originally Posted by Bigzaj
HI, I am about to do the first oil change on my Z06 and Im looking for a good torque wrench? I havent had one in years but I am considering a precision dial-type not sure on 3/8" or 1/2" drive though. Any suggestions??
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Originally Posted by Dave S
Not sure why you would want to use a torque wrench for an oil change. The drain plug only need to be "snug", e.g. one good tug on the wrench handle....use teflon tape on the threads. The filter should only be hand tight....1/2 turn after the rubber ring gasket meets the face of the filter fitting. If you're asking about a torque wrench for other work, then I would recommend 1/2 inch.....much more useful for wheels, exhaust, suspension fastners, etc.
Reason: If any small thread of teflon tape gets into the oil passages, it can obstruct a bearing orifice leading to under-lubrication and bearing failure. It's happened before, and that's why major corporations have rules against doing it. You can argue that the strainer, and the oil filter, etc. will prevent it from ever getting that far, but the bottom line is: teflon tape is JUST NOT NECESSARY on an oil pan drain plug.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
I would recommend buying a snap-on dial type or simalar brand of dial type. They seem to hold there accuracy longer then the snap actions or impulse feel torque wrenches.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Originally Posted by Dave S
The drain plug only need to be "snug", e.g. one good tug on the wrench handle....use teflon tape on the threads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Originally Posted by ProfMoriarty
I don't use a drain plug on my C6, but for reasons previously stated, and due to the fact that the plug comes complete with an O ring gasket, teflon tape is not recommended.
My general rule is to not use teflon tape on anything that has an o-ring type seal. Teflon tape was meant for non-gasket connections like screw-on water PVC plastic-to-plastic couplings.
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Michrider
For an oil change, one grunt tight on the drain plug and 3/4 turn past gasket contact on the filter. I've done thousands of oil changes and never used a torque wrench, just give it a nice firm pull.
You really should have a 1/2" good quality torque wrench for the wheels. Those lugs are real important to keep at 100 lb ft. So my vote would be to get a good 1/2" to start with because you know you will need that for the wheels.
The drain plug, just a nice firm pull with a regular length 3/8 ratchet.
You really should have a 1/2" good quality torque wrench for the wheels. Those lugs are real important to keep at 100 lb ft. So my vote would be to get a good 1/2" to start with because you know you will need that for the wheels.
The drain plug, just a nice firm pull with a regular length 3/8 ratchet.
Do you have to loosen the lugs first and retighten them to get them to 100lbs?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by vetdude
Got a 1/2" drive Craftsman with micrometer-type scales from Sears for about $60. Excellent. You can easily add drop-down extension adapter to convert to 3/8" drive or vive versa if you go with 3/8" drive.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 70
From: Houston Texas
I've got Craftsman, Husky and SnapOn torque wrenchs - mostly used on the jetski's. The Craftsman 3/8" is the take along wrench, the Husky is a big 1/2" for lug nuts - but the SnapOn's (1/4" & 3/8") are what I use when I build a motor.
No matter what wrench you get - make sure you have it caliburated periodically.
No matter what wrench you get - make sure you have it caliburated periodically.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 20
From: Rockville Centre NY
Originally Posted by Michrider
For an oil change, one grunt tight on the drain plug and 3/4 turn past gasket contact on the filter. I've done thousands of oil changes and never used a torque wrench, just give it a nice firm pull.
You really should have a 1/2" good quality torque wrench for the wheels. Those lugs are real important to keep at 100 lb ft. So my vote would be to get a good 1/2" to start with because you know you will need that for the wheels.
The drain plug, just a nice firm pull with a regular length 3/8 ratchet.
You really should have a 1/2" good quality torque wrench for the wheels. Those lugs are real important to keep at 100 lb ft. So my vote would be to get a good 1/2" to start with because you know you will need that for the wheels.
The drain plug, just a nice firm pull with a regular length 3/8 ratchet.
Been changing my own oil for 25 years and it never once involved the use of a torque wrench! Wheels are a different matter.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
I own more torque wrenchs than I can think of right now.
I don't use one for the oil change
Don't buy the dial type, there's times when you can't see the dial.
light conditions, placement of tool, etc. Also you can over torque with the dial type.
If your just torqueing wheels and your never gonna do anything more than torque wheels with a given tool
There's a socket with a torque bar built into it that flexes at the right torque! I think groets garage has them for $40
I have a $750 dial torque wrench for low torque values for sale ! only $400
If your building airplanes or some other high tech items it offers 3x times the accuracy over the iso standards and doesn't need to be pre dialed
I don't use one for the oil change
Don't buy the dial type, there's times when you can't see the dial.
light conditions, placement of tool, etc. Also you can over torque with the dial type.
If your just torqueing wheels and your never gonna do anything more than torque wheels with a given tool
There's a socket with a torque bar built into it that flexes at the right torque! I think groets garage has them for $40
I have a $750 dial torque wrench for low torque values for sale ! only $400
If your building airplanes or some other high tech items it offers 3x times the accuracy over the iso standards and doesn't need to be pre dialed