Torque Wrench

[datzenmike]

I bought one a decade ago maybe more that's been sitting in it's case unused. It's the kind you twist the handle to the setting you want and it clicks when the correct torque is reached. Well anything below 30 pounds it doesn't click which is scary. I started leaning on a bolt and had to stop or I would have sheared it off! At 40 it will click but it seems like not much effort. I snugged up some head bolts with a ratchet but when the torque wrench was used they were almost all at 60!! wtf I want to finish putting my head on and later pop the mains and rod caps off and replace the bearings before the rain next week.

 

I feel I can't trust this thing. How would you go about checking and calibrating it?

[Str8jacket]

A lot of specialist tool shops can check and calibrate torque wrenches. A snap on dealer will be able to for sure. Not sure if they screw you blind over there like they do here. Costs us about $100 per wrench. I have 4 and they need to be checked every 12 months. It hurts a bit. I am pretty sure a out of cal torque wrench is what stuffed my l20b block. It was a very expensive wrench too. So dont take brand for granted. You can buy a fixture for testing your own sort of like a torque wrench for your torque wrench. 

[wayno]

I think it is more about getting them even than getting them to a certain torque number, sure you want to be close to the predetermined number, but I believe them being even/the same is more important.

Before putting on the head, chase the head bolts with a tap, that is more about them torquing evenly.

[datzenmike]

Snap-On can kiss my ass. (sorry, SO is to tools what designer jeans are to denim. Seriously over priced for the... snob appeal.)

 

Found this...

 

 

Even uses the same wrench I have.!!!

[thisismatt]

You're bashing snap-on while complaining about your $20 torque wrench that doesn't even work at all?

[datzenmike]

Didn't say it wasn't working, just it didn't seem like I was pulling hard enough when it clicks. Just want some assurance that it's close to the right torque. Last thing I want is fasteners that are not tight. Indeed I did, and still do, bash Snap-on every chance I get for being over priced. Something that appeals to the snobs who can afford to buy them. The comparison to designer jeans is spot on. 

[thisismatt]

You said it didn't click below 30.  Anyways, clickers generally have a limited range that they are accurate in, so you need 2-3 to cover all the bases.  

[datzenmike]

If it clicks I can't seem to hear it. Up higher it does for sure. It's longer that the one shown maybe 18"? I've used the beam with the pointer kind before to tighten Datsun head bolts and you had to really pull hard to get 60 ft lbs. I don't think it's my imagination. I got a luggage scale and will try it out tomorrow.

[datzenmike]

Well the adjustment was totally out of whack. Maybe someone was playing with it before I got it. Head is now on and it was probably at 30 before. It clicked at 25 pounds and on a 15.5" long handle that's 32. Cam sprocket and crank sprockets are now good.

 

Had a set of L20B main and rod bearings so put them on and torqued then down