pvr007

iTrader: (1)

Hello, im putting back the engine in my 88 camaro RS, i might also drop the tranny, i was thinking, taking down so many nuts and bolts, i want to be accurate, right? so, is it word if i buy myself a torque wrench?

Apeiron

There's nothing involved there that absolutely requires a torque wrench.

torque_is_good

+1 on that

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

well i went over to autozone and i bought one for 30 bucks, i guess it will help some sort, but, wont i need it to torque the engine mounts, and water pump, preatty much, everything, i got miself the haynes books so i have all the numers in there

torque_is_good

sure

sometimes those of us who have done this a few too many times don't get all concerned about motor mount bolts, accessory bolts etc. When doing an engine re-assembly that is a different story. For those who this is their first time doing these types of things we tend to forget how nervous one can get.

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

well yeah, i am a little nervous, but i am proud, everithing i have, even the torque wrench was bought with my own money, the car, the stand, the hoist, no rich daddy helped me out

camaronewbie

If you have a Harbor Freight in your area, you should check them out. Not tools that I'd want to make a living with, but for most of us shadetree guys, they are quite fine enough, and very reasonable.

gsf-87IROC

I use Craftsman Torque Wrenches. Never paid full price for one of theirs...just look for them on sale.

I never use a torque wrench for anything except rods, mains, and heads....just 'gut 'n tight' on the rest. Of course, I've had the engine/trans in and out of my car about 5 times in the last 15 yrs.

gwarren007

iTrader: (1)

Autozone rents them out, use them for up to 90 days, return them and get all your money back.

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

nah, i just feel proud for having a new toy in my tool box

Apeiron

A $30 torque wrench isn't going to be more accurate than your wrist anyway.

ws6transam

Use the torque wrench. As you begin to get used to it, you'll start to figure out what 20, 35, 60 and 90 ft.lb feels like. You will start to get a handle on when a fastener reaches it's point where it is stretching and not getting any tighter. You will also then start to get a feel for what cross-threading feels like, and avoid it before it starts. If you don't, you then learn the art of easy-outs, followed by helicoils. Yup - been there, done that. I've even busted taps off in aluminum castings & learned how to weld onto the top of the tap, build it up, and weld a handle onto the busted tap to extract it. However, it's probably a good thing to start your wrenching career off with a good torque wrench. Congrats and enjoy the hobby!

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

thanks guy, i kind of get the feeling of all this, ive been working on cars since i was 5, i was changing tires back then, with some help of my dad though

83z28camaro

There is a torque spec for every threaded fastener on the car. Even the screws that hold the interior trim together.

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

yes, thats why i thought i might need one

lonestar7

iTrader: (1)

+1 on Harbor Freight. The tools are not the best quality but at the prices they sell them if you only use thew a couple of times before they break you've got your moneys worth.

pvr007

iTrader: (1)

yeah i live next to one