proper torque

[chewymd]

I noticed today on C&C that they weren't using the torque wrench properly. To get the right torque first you set the wrench to break at the specified torque requirements for your particular job. Then, when you turn the wrench, turn it until the torque wrench "breaks" or pops. Then STOP. The guys on C&C were going past the breaking point which is an overtorque. Also, always grasp the torque wrench at the very end of the handle. This will give you more torque power through your arm without over-torqueing the wrench. The thing I noticed was that once the torque wrench broke, he gave one last pull on the wrench as if he was making sure it "broke". But even once a torque wrench "breaks" you can still keep tightening the bolt or nut which results in overtorque. Not good when it comes to engines or anything else that has a specified torque requirement. I'm a Weapons Instructor for the Air Force and we use torque wrenches everyday. I'm not trying to put anybody down or insult anybody. Those guys have more knowledge in cars than I will probably ever have. If I'm wrong about them overtorqueing then I apologize. Just watch out for it on your own projects.

[FieroSpeeder]

If you watch HPTV (horsepower TV) they do the same thing with the torque wrench when they are building an engine. They torque it down till the wrench clicks and pull on it a little bit more for a 2nd click.

[BigBry]

If I remember correctly, weren't they talking about torquing it in stages. First to like 20, then to 30, then to 40 lbs.. Or whatever the numbers were. They never showed the final torque. They only explained how it is done and they did the first stage of torqueing it on camera. Believe me, they were torqued corrrectly. We built that motor several times.

[chewymd]

If they were torqueing it to 20 then 30 and then 40 then they must have edited the part where they turned the dial on the handle to change the torque. Great job by the editors. But they also did a good job on showing them torqueing it at 20 then 30 and then 40 in less than 3 seconds. What I was talking about was when the torque wrench broke, it appeared they continued pulling on the torque wrench and that would have been wrong. But you have set me straight and I apologize. Thanks

[BigBry]

Originally posted by chewymd
If they were torqueing it to 20 then 30 and then 40 then they must have edited the part where they turned the dial on the handle to change the torque. Great job by the editors. But they also did a good job on showing them torqueing it at 20 then 30 and then 40 in less than 3 seconds. What I was talking about was when the torque wrench broke, it appeared they continued pulling on the torque wrench and that would have been wrong. But you have set me straight and I apologize. Thanks

If we tell you how to torque in stages and explain how it is done, do you really need to watch Sam and Dave torque down every bolt three times? Then you would probably write on the board, "How long are you going to show torquing bolts? Get on with it already!!"

THey probably did continue pulling on the wrench, but we only showed the first run of torquing the bolts. That second little tug probably got it up to 22 on it's way to higher. I don't really remember what the actual torque specs were, but you get my point.

[chewymd]

Good point Big Bry. You're right, I don't want to see them torque those bolts three times. That would make for a very boring show. But hopefully in my rambling on I made some sense to somebody and maybe they know how to torque properly now. Or maybe we just confused them altogether. I don't know. But I am impressed with the responses I've received from this. I have looked all around for a website that I could get a response back from. This one will be my final stopping point. I'm really new to this one, but it's been my observation that Big Bry must work for this website or show. Kudos to Big Bry on always taking time to reply back. Hopefully I'll get a response back on the thread I submitted about my Mustang engine and tranny swap too. Thanks again...............CHEWY

[BigBry]

I can only respond on things I have seen regarding the show. I know very little about cars so I certainly won't be partaking in any conversations about anyone's individual projects. I can only really chime in about things revolving around the show. You don't want my help on a Mustang project or tranny swap.

If I ever tell anyone any advice about cars it's more than likely coming from other sources. I know some stuff, but I have a weak mind compared to a lot of the other people on the board when it comes to cars.

[chewymd]

Well after looking at this site more and more, I notice that there are a lot of people out there willing to help others. This is great. Keep it up everybody. (You too BigBry)

[BigBry]

Actually I think they were 30, 50, 65 for those keeping score at home.

[chewymd]

But was that inch pounds or foot pounds....lol