im trying to put together a tool box with all the tools used on my 83 camaro cross fire inj. i just needa know socket sizes and wrench sizes and all that good stuff i could physically go out and do it but it would take way to much time plz help me with this

 

For a 83....Buy all standard wrenches & sockets. Metric will only be "close" in some place & useless in most.

 

Was it in 85 that they started using metric hardware? For some reason that number keeps coming to mind...

 

imperial on engine/tranny/rear end, metric on body etc.
That's on my '82, the '83 will be identical.
you will want an imperial and metric 3/8"drive socket set, and wrenches. for imperial and metric. extensions, swivels, etc etc. Get it all.

 

My 87 is a total freak.....Just to pull the gauge cluster out, I needed 3 different sized metric sockets, 2 imperial sized and a screwdriver! And the metrics.....On one row of the "same" attaching bolts, they weren't even all the same size!

I think 87 & 88 (some) & by 89, all metric.

 

this helps a lil im lookin for actual sizes that you guys tend to use alot like for instance i use a 10mm socket alot on the car

 

Buying a set of sockets, will be cheaper than buying the few (in that set) that you think you'll need.

Plus, if you only bought SOME, you'd get halfway though a project, only to discover you need ANOTHER size socket.

 

Yes, exactly.
I use 7, 10, 13, 15mm a lot. same with 1/2", 9/16" and 5/8". However halfway through, i'll need a torx T-15.... or a 7/16".. or a crescent wrench...
However, the above list is what I put in a duffle bag and bring to the junk yard... That and wire cutters and a hammer

 

sonix helped i have alot of tools and alot of extra tool boxes so i wanted to put a tool box together so i dont have to lug around my big tool box to my car everytime i can just take a small one you know what i mean

 

Yeah my 88 is mostly metric, but I agree that buying a small tool kit would be great...
I got one for christmas, and it never leaves my backseat. When I go to use it I never end up telling myself "damn, I need more tools" its more like "damn it, should have brought the WD-40"

If I were good with fabrication, I would make some sort of utility box out of the locking space with the cardboard liner in the trunk...

 

some places have a "tune up kit" comes with roughly 10-15 standard sockets, 10-15 metric sockets, a spark plug socket, and a 3/8" drive ratchet all in a small package

 

Don't forget the trusty Gator Grip: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&keyword=gator

Just don't try and use it to torque a lot of things down.

 

ive always wondered if they were any good

 

Pick up a set of these, http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=7...=86%2003%20300
I've got the medium sized one, it's the single most useful tool I own... the design lets you grab all sizes of nuts and bolts, like a crescent wrench, but unlike a crescent wrench you will never strip or round the head because of how it multiplies the force (full handle movement = about 1/2 inch of jaw movement, I've folded coins in quarter with mine), they're perfect for removal/install of same size nut/bolt combo if you don't have two wrenches the same size. Works great for removing stripped nuts and bolts or any time you don't feel like rummaging through the tool box for that one wrench that's at the bottom 'coz you never use it. The Gator Grip is almost useless in comparison... Get 'em from eBay, the set of three costs about the same as a single one from Snap-On.

 

+1 to these

pretty much anything knipex is gold. i have a set of side cutters I bought from matco (and paid waaaay too much) 5 years ago. I have cut probably about $40 bucks worth of pennies just to show off their capabilities and they still cut wire, zipties, and just about anything else with ease.

 

99.9% of the time when i work on older SBCs its 9/16 everything. I would make sure you have 9/16 sockets deep and shallow a 9/16 wrench for sure as well. Next ide have to say is a tie between 1/2 and 5/8 in and occationally 3/8 or 7/16. For the body and interior you run into alot of metric stuff so really ide recomend having a set of sockets standard from 3/8-3/4 and metric 10-19. I will say youll need a good ratchet with a few different size extentions and a flex head (also adapters if needed). I also like to have a breaker bar on hand. The star shaped tork bits are handy to have sometimes as well as allen wrenches. A few different screwdrivers especially a small flat bladed screwdriver to help with the electrical connectors. A magnetic pic up tool to help out with dropped bolts because they always fall into the most obnoxious places ever. Various types of pliers (needle nose, linemans channlelocks, and my favorite vice grips!). Penetrating oil will save you hours of misery on tough bolts i like to use PB blaster its the best stuff ive ever seen. I like to have a volt meter of some kind on hand. Also since i do alot of engin work the essential gasket sealers and thread sealers but i also toss in electrical tape zip ties ect. Maby toss in a chear repair manual like haynes or something and ide say your good for the basics.

 

deep 14mm is my best friend on any 80's-90's GM !

Besides they have been crossing metric and imperial since the 70's and it is really annoying.

 

deep 14mm? I don't even own that I don't think - what on earth do you use it for??

 

Pretty much all those old 9/16 that are out of shape or are a little stripped. Also 14mm is a common size for bracket studs and getting a deep one to get down the stud to the base. I just buy a couple cheap ones but I have like 3 craftsman now and I hammer them onto a stripped 9/16 and back them out (sometimes getting the bolt out of the socket is impossible so I take it back and get a free replacement).