The helms calls for tightening of a few bolts at 8.7ft/lb. The torque wrench i want to get has a range of 10-80ft./lb. (I want this one so I can also do my fluid changes and tighten lugs to spec as well.) Can I just tighten the bolts on the cylinder head to 10ft./lb and call it a day? The OCD side of me wants to be able to torque it to 8.7 (12N).

 

I would recommend that if you are going to be bolting anything to an aluminum cylinder head that you have the correct wrench.

Usually wrenches that low measure in inch-pounds, *12 to get lb-ft.

 

^ This. 8.7 x 12 = 104.4 pound inches on a small, usually 3/8 inch, torque wrench.

 

my experience is that the larger torque wrenches that are used for lugs at 80 ft lbs are usually very inaccurate at 10 ft lbs, you can risk breaking some bolts with that type of wrench. With all of the small bolts on this car I highly recommend having a smaller 3/8" torque wrench that does 3-20 ft lbs (usually in inch-lbs), then have a 1/2" drive torque wrench that does 20-150+ ft lbs or so for the larger bolts. I actually have 3 wrenches that I use , one for low settings, one for middle settings, and one for higher settings.

I've broken too many bolts and threads with inaccurate torque wrenches where I tried to use one wrench for a multitude of settings, I've never broken anything since switching to more than one torque wrench.

 

thanks guys. everyone said exactly what i was thinking. jfusion: what torque wrench do you have that is 3-20ft lbs? i def. want to get that one and one that is 20 to 100 for the fluid changes and lug nuts.

 

also, based on my tool set, this will be annoying, i will need both 1/4 in and 3/8in drives...

one more question: the helms shows that when removing the ignition coil you have to take off a couple allen bolts...it says to torque them back to 8.7 ft./lbs as well. is there an attachment that i need to purchase in order to toque allen bolts to spec?

 

I use allen 3/8" sockets. Home Depot has them. Sears also sells a 20-250 in-lb torque wrench.

 

thanks will grab those allen sockets. i think i am going to avoid the craftsmen stuff for now and choose this one

http://www.amazon.com/Tools-3459-Mic...794154&sr=8-24

yay..nay?

found my 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch extension so i am good to go on that now.

 

I broke two 3/8in adaptors r/r the wheels on my car. Might as well have a 1/2 in drive on your large torque wrench.

 

that sucks. thanks for the heads up. will grab that 3/8 in. one that i posted and a larger 1/2in one too.