Discussion
Norbar are the dogs danglies, but won't be cheap (though quite a bit less than Snap-On). Teng is another good quality manufacturer.
However, unless you want to buy a nice quality torque wrench anyway (and I wouldn't blame you at all) it seems like a lot of expense for pretty simple and non-critical job. You could use a ratchet and a cheap spring balance if you don't think you can get close by hand.
However, unless you want to buy a nice quality torque wrench anyway (and I wouldn't blame you at all) it seems like a lot of expense for pretty simple and non-critical job. You could use a ratchet and a cheap spring balance if you don't think you can get close by hand.
TVR Moneypit said:
For most normal fasteners, I'd be inclined to agree, but for a cam cover, especially if it's a plastic one, I'd rather not go risking it. I'd also be tightening them in the order the manufacturer recommended, and if I couldn't find that info, start from the middle and spiral my way out diagonally, (if you catch my drift?).
Plastic ones are ok, its usualy the alloy ones you have to be careful about torquing evenly to avoid cracking them.I use one of these for bike jobs, does 10nm, is cheap. Might need some adapter shenanigans to get a socket onto it though.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-combo-to...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-combo-to...
Zulu 10 said:
When I needed to replace numerous casing bolts on a Jaguar V8 engine a few years ago I bought a Teng 1/4" torque wrench which seemed a sensible compromise between quality and cost for a DIYer.
The same model (1492AGE) is still available from Amazon for £44.
That’s the one I have got and it’s fantastic. I’ve used it loads. The same model (1492AGE) is still available from Amazon for £44.
You really don't need a torque wrench for putting on a rocker cover!grumpy52 said:
You really don't need to torque up mini rocker covers .
I have a Britool 600 torque wrench that I have owned for about 40 yrs .
It covers from 40 lbs/ft to about 210 .and cost me £11.50p .
Whatever you buy always reset to zero or leave it unloaded when not in use .
Slightly disagree with that, most manufacturers say set to the lowest setting, not fully unloaded.I have a Britool 600 torque wrench that I have owned for about 40 yrs .
It covers from 40 lbs/ft to about 210 .and cost me £11.50p .
Whatever you buy always reset to zero or leave it unloaded when not in use .
The Halfords Professional torque wrenches mentioned earlier, at least the older style black & orange ones, were made by Norbar. Who in my experience anyway make the best torque wrenches available. As others have said for such a small torque on a rocker cover a small 1/4 ratchet or small spanner and hand tight would be plenty acceptable, but I understand the OP's position and they clearly want it done correctly. In that case you need to pay slightly more and get one that's at least got some sort of credible calibration on it. Maybe try looking for a used Norbar, or try and find a Teng at a good price.
That's my 2p's worth
That's my 2p's worth
I understand the suggestion based on a price-point but, I would NEVER trust a tool like a torque wrench if it were second hand, you never know how it has been treated.
Even getting it calibration checked may not be enough if it comes back as wrong, then you have wasted the cost of the tool & it's calibration.
If you want a torque wrench buy a new one from a well-known manufacturer with a calibration certificate, only keep it in its correct box & treat it as the instructions tell you to do, not as someone once told you 30 years ago, it is the only way.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Even getting it calibration checked may not be enough if it comes back as wrong, then you have wasted the cost of the tool & it's calibration.
If you want a torque wrench buy a new one from a well-known manufacturer with a calibration certificate, only keep it in its correct box & treat it as the instructions tell you to do, not as someone once told you 30 years ago, it is the only way.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Zulu 10 said:
When I needed to replace numerous casing bolts on a Jaguar V8 engine a few years ago I bought a Teng 1/4" torque wrench which seemed a sensible compromise between quality and cost for a DIYer.
The same model (1492AGE) is still available from Amazon for £44.
Funnily enough the 3/8" version covers the same torque range but is £4 cheaper..The same model (1492AGE) is still available from Amazon for £44.
I had/have 3 torque wrenches, a good Japanese one (can't remember the make, but it was wrong side of 150 pounds), a cheapo bought at the Bristol Kit car show, and a Biltima, (which is a Scandinavian Halfords type thing.
I used to work for a Nuclear contractor, and we had to have tools certified on a regular basis, I had all three checked and all three would have been certified for work in a Nuclear, station, But I store them correctly so they cant rust and release the pressure on the spring. The one bought at the Kit car show cost 6 pounds
I used to work for a Nuclear contractor, and we had to have tools certified on a regular basis, I had all three checked and all three would have been certified for work in a Nuclear, station, But I store them correctly so they cant rust and release the pressure on the spring. The one bought at the Kit car show cost 6 pounds
Friction on the fastening thread/mating surface of course affects the amount that a bolt needs to be turned to achieve the required torque.
Have you ever undone a rusted nut/bolt?
That is about the best example you will get, the bolt isn't tighter than when it was done up but the friction & therefore torque required is MUCH higher.
Have you ever undone a rusted nut/bolt?
That is about the best example you will get, the bolt isn't tighter than when it was done up but the friction & therefore torque required is MUCH higher.
10Nm is less than 8ft-lbs, That not even hand-tight, it's 'finger-tight'!
Absolutley no need for such a torque wrench!
JOhn
PS "What's 'hand-tight'?" It's what you can exert (unless you're an arm-wrestilng freak) with your hand and wrist, not using the elbow or shoulder. Rough but then a rocker cover's tightness is NOT critiical!
Absolutley no need for such a torque wrench!
JOhn
PS "What's 'hand-tight'?" It's what you can exert (unless you're an arm-wrestilng freak) with your hand and wrist, not using the elbow or shoulder. Rough but then a rocker cover's tightness is NOT critiical!
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