I don't know how to do all that much engine work. I was just wondering if I were to take off my plenum would I have to torque it a centain amount?

 

Pick up a Haynes or Chilton's. I think the plenum bolts are torqued to 15lbs, but I'd have to look. Just about everything has a torque spec. Whether or not you choose to take the risk of not torquing it is up to you. Some guys just wing it, other people are downright **** about it.

Mathius

 

I go by German Torque : Goot-an-tight

 

I never used a torque wrench with my plenum.. And its fine... Just got the tight but, not to tight

 

If I were to buy a torque wrench what size would I need for the plenum?

 

What do you mean by size? Do you mean which 'Drive' ???

I use a 1/2" Drive Dial Torque Wrench with a range of 0 ft-lbs through 100 ft-lbs

I also have a Slide Pin torque wrench thats also a 1/2" drive, which is an el-cheapo but a lot easier to use and "clicks" when you reach specified torque...

If it is only 15 ft-lbs, then tighting it by "winging it" could actualy crack something, it happens, trust me, use a torque wrench (Of course breaking an intake that belongs to the school is not the same than breaking you own)

Torque Wrenchs are measured in:

Drive (Where your socket mounts to)
Range (measured in ft-lbs or Nm (Neuton Meters))
Type

 

This may be one of the ultimate dumb @$$ question but how do you even use a torque wrench? I don't even know what one looks like.

 

This is a beam style(also refered to as dial). You place a socket on it and begin to tighten a bolt just like you would with a ratchet. The beam will pivot and let you know how much torque you are appling to that bolt. When you reach the specification you stop tightening.



This style is a lot easier to use. You set the specification your looking to recieve on the handle. Very simular to a micrometer. You tighten until you hear a click which means you reached the spec. They also have a ratchet action with reverse. Much easier to use in my opinion