TB change ahead – need a new torque wrench — any recommendations?

[StreetCreeper]

Getting ready to do the timing belt/ water pump/ thermostat, tb idler and tensioner pulley, upper and lower radiator hoses (because age/mileage) and heater control valve (because leaking and coolant drained for the tb job anyway).

Belts and heater hoses were changed not long ago so am not doing those.

Have the lowes torque wrench, the schley hydraulic tensioner tool (not needed if replacing entire tensioner) and a modified crank pulley holder, plus a bit of pipe to extend the breaker bar handle because I am not strong enough to break it loose without a little leverage help. Will be putting a piece of cardboard between the radiator and me rather than pull the radiator out.

Time and miles fly- this will be the third time I've done the tb on the 96.

That Lowes wrench seems to be pretty popular! I'll be checking it out again in person soon!

I need to look into replacing the heater control valve and maybe even the hoses back there too. Things are starting to look a little rough.

Since I replaced the radiator last summer, I guess I'll just pull it out again because I really like as much room as I can get to work in as sometimes my irritation with things easily overrides my innate laziness.

You must be a pro at this if you've done it twice already! After this second one coming up — number 3 will be around 525,000 miles or probably in 3 years at my current rate.

 

[StreetCreeper]

HaHa don't curse me, just buy a better ratchet! MORE TOOLS!!

Streetcreep, I would whole heartedly recommend this:Precision Instruments C3FR250F 1/2 inch - Measuring, Precision - Torque Wrench

Split beam is the way to go. Super easy to set and you never have to "wind it down". There's no pressure on the mechanism unless you're actively torqueing something. I have the 3/8 and 1/2 models and love them.

I was just looking at a used Snap-On split beam! I'd rather have a new PI one instead though! So many temptations...

 

[kball]

I was just looking at a used Snap-On split beam! I'd rather have a new PI one instead though! So many temptations...

PI used to make them for SO before they bought CDI. So it's just as good quality wise.

 

[kball]

If you decide to go Husky, get a tool set to go with it!

Husky Mechanics Tool Set (349-Piece) with Bonus 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench-H349MTS+H2DTWA - The Home Depot

 

[Scramble]

I'm not familiar with BikeMaster brand or that style of digital torque wrench. Looks interesting for smaller applications but even the bigger 1/2 is only rated for 147lbs so it's a no-go for the crank bolt.

I'm definitely considering the CDI brand in 1/2" just based on reputation. They are at the upper end of my budget though.

Strangely, I've not even looked into Craftsman brand. I use their C3 electric impact wrench and have a set of Craftsman deep impact sockets (friggin rust magnets) — other than that I've largely steered away from Sears stuff.

I think I'll go see what sears has to offer

I used to be a Craftsman guy but their quality has gone south & I'm an Amazon Prime addict now. I've been buying Tekton tools for the last few years & everything has been solid as a rock. Mostly impact sockets, extensions, swivels, etc for my Dewalt impact gun. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this for $58. Their tools get great reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edit: They have one in Amazon warehouse deals for $54.00! I'd buy it but I have a timing chain.

 

[StreetCreeper]

If you decide to go Husky, get a tool set to go with it!

Husky Mechanics Tool Set (349-Piece) with Bonus 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench-H349MTS+H2DTWA - The Home Depot

I used to be a Craftsman guy but their quality has gone south & I'm an Amazon Prime addict now. I've been buying Tekton tools for the last few years & everything has been solid as a rock. Mostly impact sockets, extensions, swivels, etc for my Dewalt impact gun. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this for $58. Their tools get great reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edit: They have one in Amazon warehouse deals for $54.00! I'd buy it but I have a timing chain.

You guys were all supposed to make this easy for me! I'm more conflicted now than when I started — so many good options!

 

[StreetCreeper]

Getting ready to do the timing belt/ water pump/ thermostat, tb idler and tensioner pulley, upper and lower radiator hoses (because age/mileage) and heater control valve (because leaking and coolant drained for the tb job anyway).

...

Hey are you going to be using an OEM heater control valve or aftermarket? I just priced out my 97 valve and holy shit $80! Times like this the Autozone valve doesn't sound too bad at $30 -- but I haven't found any reviews yet.

 

[habanero]

Hey are you going to be using an OEM heater control valve or aftermarket? I just priced out my 97 valve and holy shit $80! Times like this the Autozone valve doesn't sound too bad at $30 -- but I haven't found any reviews yet.

I'm going to give 4 Seasons a try though I saw a post about one lasting a year and not much else. I've already had a 4 Seasons receiver dryer and expansion valve in the truck for several years now and have used the brand many times in the past. We'll see.

Between the parts for the TB on the 96 (aircabinman abbreviated oe kit) and the clutch kit (probably Marlin and having the flywheel resurfaced) the $50 bucks is busy doing something else.

Ugh, it's always busy doing something else!

 

[fourfive]

I was just looking at a used Snap-On split beam! I'd rather have a new PI one instead though! So many temptations...

All my current torque wrenches are used from eBay & had them recalibrated:

matco 1/2 25-250 ft/lbs flex head
matco 1/4 30-200 in/lbs flex head
snap on 3/8 5-75 ft/lbs flex head
precision instruments 3/8 15-100 ft/lbs flex head

My HF & tekton torque wrenches worked fine but since I like to torque any nut/bolt that I loosen or remove, I have found that having a torque wrench with a narrow/low profile flex head allows me to reach any nut/bolt my socket wrenches can reach. The main reason I went with the above brands was they had the smallest head size, had a head that would flex/swivel, & had the torque ranges I was wanting.

 

[RockyrT4R]

Shit, I'm not sure I'd trust a rental unless they calibrate those things constantly. We all know how rental cars get driven...

I do like the free price tag though!



Damn, is that method really violent or was that breaker bar just defective?

The socket may not have been on all the way but thats not the point lol

 

[StreetCreeper]

All my current torque wrenches are used from eBay & had them recalibrated:

matco 1/2 25-250 ft/lbs flex head
matco 1/4 30-200 in/lbs flex head
snap on 3/8 5-75 ft/lbs flex head
precision instruments 3/8 15-100 ft/lbs flex head

My HF & tekton torque wrenches worked fine but since I like to torque any nut/bolt that I loosen or remove, I have found that having a torque wrench with a narrow/low profile flex head allows me to reach any nut/bolt my socket wrenches can reach. The main reason I went with the above brands was they had the smallest head size, had a head that would flex/swivel, & had the torque ranges I was wanting.

Where do you get them calibrated at? Also, do those split beam wrenches give any audible alert that you have reached the proper torque, or do you just have to keep eyeballing it? Cause that would annoy the hell out of me if I have to always be looking at the thing.

 

[fourfive]

Where do you get them calibrated at? Also, do those split beam wrenches give any audible alert that you have reached the proper torque, or do you just have to keep eyeballing it? Cause that would annoy the hell out of me if I have to always be looking at the thing.

I actually have the click torque wrench & not the split beam. The snap on & precision instruments I sent to them for calibration & I sent the matco to angle repair because that's the company matco said handles their calibration. I think I paid around $30-$45 to have it calibrated. I do know fastenal will calibrate torque wrenches & I think their prices were a little cheaper.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I actually have the click torque wrench & not the split beam. The snap on & precision instruments I sent to them for calibration & I sent the matco to angle repair because that's the company matco said handles their calibration. I think I paid around $30-$45 to have it calibrated. I do know fastenal will calibrate torque wrenches & I think their prices were a little cheaper.

Ah ok! I had it in my head that all the skinny flex-head wrenches were of the split beam variety.

My wallet is already shrinking at the mere thought of what those wrenches cost new. I hadn't really even considered buying a used torque wrench off eBay but I guess if they are recalibrated afterwards then no big deal.

Good to hear about Fastenal since they are all over around here!

 

[LittleCaesar]

The torque wrenches from the tool trucks with the flex heads are gold and help greatly, but I don't think the OP would utilize it enough to justify the possible cost. The Kobalt should work just fine IMHO.

Here is an Eric the Car Guy video that shows him bumping a starter to loosen the crank bolt on a Subaru beginning about 13:00:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItEcdrKWHtY

 

[kball]

Where do you get them calibrated at? Also, do those split beam wrenches give any audible alert that you have reached the proper torque, or do you just have to keep eyeballing it? Cause that would annoy the hell out of me if I have to always be looking at the thing.

The split beams click just like the wind up types.

 

[reelamin]

Where do you get them calibrated at? Also, do those split beam wrenches give any audible alert that you have reached the proper torque, or do you just have to keep eyeballing it? Cause that would annoy the hell out of me if I have to always be looking at the thing.

I check mine with a known weight and distance from head. (You Tube it) The SK is always on. I just checked them the other day, and the Snap On needs to go in AGAIN!!!! I just give to the driver when I see him, and he drops it off when he comes back through. No charge....but there shouldn't be for what the F'r cost.

Those split beam are easy to use on the lighter ft lb and inch pound torques just require a few seconds more!

 

[fblainen11]

Up until two years ago, I ran a calibration lab for the Navy, and I was the mechanical gauge calibration specialist. Since I had access to the calibration tools, I ran MANY different torque wrenches through the ringer, including a lot of HF ones for myself and others. EVERY ONE OF THEM was spot on. Repeatable measurements time after time.

So for a 9.99 torque wrench, you cannot go wrong. Seriously.

But as far as a 250 lb-ft unit, they don't make one, so that's a no go.

Wow! If it's good enough for government work it's good enough for me!

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The 3/8 Kobalt minimum is 20ftlbs. Won't work for cams


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[JamesReid]

hi mates, i'm planning to rebuild my engine and searching to buy a new torque wrench. My friend suggested me this store, could you please advice me the best torque wrench when it comes to price and durability. here is the list
Thanks in advance.