This is an older 1/2" drive Craftsman. I'm using to tighten valve cover gasket bolts. Is the 4.15 over 30 where I want to be for appropriate torque? Thanks for any guidance.

 

No that's way to high!!!!

i don't remeber the torque on the valve cover gaskets but it's definitely not 30ft-lbs. Look up the specs but it's probably very close to 100 in-lbs but I don't remeber So I repeat LOOK IT UP. I think it's some where between 88-140 in-lbs. Look it up to be sure.

 

No, No, NO!!! You will destroy the bolts!

The torque wrench you have is not suitable for tightning the valve cover bolts.

What you need is an inch-pound wrench.

4.15fp= approx 50 inch pounds; a very light torque.

What is really necessary is that the bolts are lightly snugged onto the metal spacers in the valve cover without crushing them.

If you have a feel for what is really going on, no torque wrench is really necessary.

The fact that you had hoped that your 1/2 in drive wrench was a suitable tool shows that you are one who may indeed need the appropriate inch-pound wrench.

 

Thanks! I actually bought a light 1/4" torque wrench but do not have an extension socket. For the 1/2" shown I have one. Could I just go approx. half way between 0 0 -- and 1.38 / 10?

 

No, the 1/2" drive wrench won't be very accurate at those low values. Do it right and get a 1/4" to 1/2" adaptor (may need to get a 1/4-3/8 and a 3/8-1/2 adaptor and stack them) so you can use your 1/4" drive wrench. Or get a 1/4" drive extension. You'll find lots of uses for either of those solutions.

 

will do on 1/4" extension, thanks guys. i hope i can read that right

 

First rule of working on these old trucks - never pass up an opportunity or an excuse to buy another tool!:-)