For something like the valve cover..and engine bay..What torque wrench do you use? As for the wheels. What do you use for that? Like brand and model.

 

I have a Craftsman for the wheels. I don't know which model number, but it's the one that was ~$50 (I think). It the one that clicks when you are at the set torque.

 

craftsman, my brother works for sears so we get discounts..........definately get the one that clicks though when your at the right torque

 

I have a pair of craftsman torque wrenches. One is up to 250in-lb and another that is up to 80ft-lb. I only need the big one to complete my collection.

 

craftsman, micro torque... it's the way to go

 

I've got the big 1/2" drive that goes up to 150lb*ft ($69.99), and then medium-sized one in 3/8" drive that goes up to 80lb*ft.

I think I'll sell the 3/8" drive and get a Snap-on one to replace it. The Snap-on's are more precise to the desired torque values, and I think it would be better to use it for engine work.

 

snap on is the way to go.

 

I have one that I bought from Kragen along time ago when I was a poor college student.. it has a lifetime warranty and was like $50.. I still have it and it still works.. it does 0-200 ft-lbs I think and is the "click" type where you turn the lower handle to the torque setting you want.. then lock the bottom screw and when your at the preset torque setting it "clicks" its a 1/2" drive..

I also have another Sears/Craftsman torque wrench which I bought not too long ago.. its 1/2" drive and you dial in the settings pretty much similar as above.. "click" type torque wrench.. i bought it at discount and I trust craftsman more than my Kragen one... regular price is like $100 something..

I let my friends use/borrow and bang around the one I got from Kragen and I use the Craftsman one on my own car.. their both pretty nice and fuction/do the job.. I've snapped a few 1/2" to 3/8" converters w/ them Lolz...

 

I got the 3/8 craftsman torque wrench. It goes up to 250.

If you're buying it from sears, be sure to have it calibrated just to make sure it's set correctly.

I need to calibrate mine because I torqued my friend's rims to 85 and 3 of his lug nuts came lose and rattled like hell. Damaged his rims a little and gave him a hell of a scare.

 

thanks alot guys

 

For longer life, store your torque wrenches at low pressure. I think the spec is less than 20%. I store mine at the minimum.

 

store at low pressure? like? im confused

 

If the torque wrench goes from 5 to 80 ft-lbs. I store it at 5. I don't know how to word it. I guess I should say low torque setting.

 

yeah what they mean is to dial it back down to the lowest setting.. after I'm finished using my torque wrench.. I always turn it back down to 0 instead of keeping it at the last torque setting I used..

 

ohh, i get it now. thanks.
So if a torque wrench says like 50-250lbs....i heard that its not always accurate threw the whole range...is this true? or only for lower torque wrenches?

 

If you want quality and a lifetime guarantee then go with the Snap On torque wrench. I picked one up a few weeks ago and i am loving it. On the other hand, my checkbook is dying. You pay a pretty penny for such a nice wrench. It will last a long time though

 

ya.. well...sears has a lifetime warrenty too may not be quality like snap on...but it wont hurt my wallet. and its gaurenteed(sp)

 

On conventional torque wrenches with the spring inside, the accuracy will vary within the useable range. The snapon from what I have heard is springless(not sure how that works) and never needs calibration because of this.

I need to pick up the big one now. To torque a crank pulley on a friends car. My collection will be complete

 

3/8 inch Craftsmen digitorque (sp?) 5-80lb.

It was about $90.00

 

Any of you have pics of these torque wrench that clicks? How much do they usually run? I use ratchet and try and torque them down to when I feel is tighten enough hehe. Thanks.