torque wrench?

[MI_Mopar]

looking to buy a decent torque wrench, whats a good capability for it? ex. 20-150lbs.? should i buy a cheap one or go ahead and bite on a decent one that will last a bit?

 

[pagilman]

If you are going to torque your rods, mains and heads........... borrow one. Unless you are going to be doing alot of engine work. DON'T YOU HAVE ANY GEARHEAD BUDDYS?????????

 

[Max340]

Never buy a cheap torque wrench, its just not worth it. Craftsman are decent, Snap on are better, but the best value between the two is Craftsman.

 

[dgc333]

Measuring torque to tighten a fastener is only a little more accurate than doing it by feel do to the wide variation in friction in the threads. Because of this don't spend a bundle on a torque wrench.

The beam type is inherently the most accurate and consistent over time but is not very convenient to use. The click type is the most convenient to use. I would recommend a click type that goes to 150 ft-lbs and don't spend much over $50 for it.

If you go with the click type just make sure you turn it back down to zero after each use to ensure repeatability from use to use.

 

[FISHBREATH]

I have also heard that the beam type is more accurate (and less expensive) than the break-type torque wrench.

 

[JR]

My Husky torque wrench has never let me down in the 4+ years I have had it. I have used it on about 8 motor rebuilds and 4 front end rebuilds thats not counting all the small stuff like intake and head swaps.

Got it at Home Depot for around 60 bucks and if it ever brakes I just bring it back and grab a new one off the shelf with no problem.

 

[68383GTS]

I bought a $75.00 Craftsman works great...
Jim

 

[needsaresto]

I have 4. 2 inch /lb and 2 ft/lb. They all over lap eachother in ranges. I can torque anything from 0 inch/lbs to 180 inch/lbs or 0 ft lbs all the way to 250 ft/lbs. I forget what brands. I think 3 are Mastercraft anyways.

 

[green1]

I have craftsman beam and click. Always within tolerance. Just lube the bolts.

 

[dgc333]

Lubing the bolts helps to reduce the variation bolt to bolt and generally will increase the clamping force but torqueing is still not a very good way to torque a fastener.

Torque to yield bolts that you see being used on heads these days is a very good way to get even and consistent clamping force. Another good way is to measure bolt stretch. You see this method used on rod bolts.