ARGH!!! Torque Advice!!!

[mortation]

ARGH!!! With the allen socket I can not get my torque wrench to all the bolts on the valve cover and none for the breather cover.

So I tightened the bolts I couldnt reach by hand to what felt like the bolts I did with the torque wrench after undoing one of the torqued bolts by hand to get a feel for it.

Is this going to be ok, am I just being paranoid? I have checked the engine cover bolts about half a dozen times. I am not sure why I am being so paranoid :P

[hampshirehog]

I've never used a torque spanner on these bolts - just do it till they feel right (and not till they strip and 1/2 a turn back!)

[tkent02]

If you have calibrated fingers it will be OK. Unlike head bolts.

[Junkie]

If you have calibrated fingers it will be OK. Unlike head bolts.

++. same is true for lots of things.

[Zooks]

It'll be fine. I rarely use a torque wrench, except for engine internals.

[chuckycheese]

Yep

It'll be fine. I rarely use a torque wrench, except for engine internals.

I agree. Just tighten everything down reasonably tight and not only will it not leak...the real 'upside' is that you won't wreck anything in the process.

I've said it before but I've had almost no problems not tightening things enough but I've sure caused myself lots of problems by 'over doing it'. Be careful!:?

[lurch12_2000]

I've posted this before...

A torque wrench is probably necessary for a lot of vehicle jobs, but you can use my method:
1 finger for under 2 lbs
2 fingers for 2-5
3 fingers for 5-10
4 fingers for up to 30
whole fist and arm for up to 60
all of the above plus 3 foot bar for over 60
:grin:
note: use your stronger arm (for me it's the right)
now for the age factor:
if you're over 50, adjust all settings above by adding one finger to each and a 4 ft bar!!!!
over 60, 2 fingers and a 5 ft bar,
over 70 let someone else do the work:shock:
__________________

[Steve]

I've never used a torque spanner on these bolts - just do it till they feel right (and not till they strip and 1/2 a turn back!)

RIGHT!! \\/

Those bolts don't need to be that tight, so back off a full turn after they strip. :shock:

.

[mortation]

Alright thanks all. I basically found the ones I torqued down were about equal to using just an allen wrench and making it only as tight as I can go using just my thumb to push it.

[49er]

A torque wrench is probably necessary for a lot of vehicle jobs, but you can use my method:
1 finger for under 2 lbs
2 fingers for 2-5
3 fingers for 5-10
4 fingers for up to 30
whole fist and arm for up to 60
all of the above plus 3 foot bar for over 60
:grin:
note: use your stronger arm (for me it's the right)
now for the age factor:
if you're over 50, adjust all settings above by adding one finger to each and a 4 ft bar!!!!
over 60, 2 fingers and a 5 ft bar,
over 70 let someone else do the work:shock:
__________________

Great formula lurch12_2000. I especially enjoyed the allowances made for advancing age. How come you don't recommend a splint support formula for us octagenarians?