Torque Wrench Question

[600Kat4EB]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to install my ignition advancer soon and the reports i have read stated certain bolts need to be tightened to lbs per inch and other lbs per foot (i think). Anyway i know they are different. Will one torque wrench do both or do i have to have a lbs per inch and then a separate oone for lbs per foot?

Thanks
Ebon

[tmk7c9]

some have seperate scales for both. Or, if you can multiply and divide by 12, you're good

[600Kat4EB]

some have seperate scales for both. Or, if you can multiply and divide by 12, you're good

never thought about that.....i've never used one before so this is new to me, but i want one. I'm gonna go look at one on my lunch. Thanks

[Black_peter]

OK, Good question..
Marc and I had spirited "conversations" about torque wrenches in the past..
However we agreed that you really do need more than one.
12 Inch/pounds = 1 foot/pound (go figure )
Your average torque wrench ranges from 20 to 250 Foot/pounds, however the accuracy is on a curve. So down at 20 foot/ pounds it can be off 10-20% . Since 20 Ft/lb = 240 inch pounds your accuracy is +/- 48 inch pounds!
So IMO:
Basic home mechanic: 20-240 Ft/lb 1/2 drive wrench.
Semi-pro home mechanic also has: 5-75 ft/lb 3/8 drive.
Super know it all also has: 2- 50 inch/pound (either screw driver type or wrench style)

[600Kat4EB]

OK, Good question..
Marc and I had spirited "conversations" about torque wrenches in the past..
However we agreed that you really do need more than one.
12 Inch/pounds = 1 foot/pound (go figure )
Your average torque wrench ranges from 20 to 250 Foot/pounds, however the accuracy is on a curve. So down at 20 foot/ pounds it can be off 10-20% . Since 20 Ft/lb = 240 inch pounds your accuracy is +/- 48 inch pounds!
So IMO:
Basic home mechanic: 20-240 Ft/lb 1/2 drive wrench.
Semi-pro home mechanic also has: 5-75 ft/lb 3/8 drive.
Super know it all also has: 2- 50 inch/pound (either screw driver type or wrench style)

10-20% curve is huge! I found a couple semi inexpensive torque wrenches that will get me started on for each measurement....after reading that i dont think i would trust my math with the calculations. LOL!!!

[steves]

On the engine covers, I think you are probably okay going "carefully hand tight" or NOT "rail road torque"

OK, Good question..
Marc and I had spirited "conversations" about torque wrenches in the past..
However we agreed that you really do need more than one.
12 Inch/pounds = 1 foot/pound (go figure )
Your average torque wrench ranges from 20 to 250 Foot/pounds, however the accuracy is on a curve. So down at 20 foot/ pounds it can be off 10-20% . Since 20 Ft/lb = 240 inch pounds your accuracy is +/- 48 inch pounds!
So IMO:
Basic home mechanic: 20-240 Ft/lb 1/2 drive wrench.
Semi-pro home mechanic also has: 5-75 ft/lb 3/8 drive.
Super know it all also has: 2- 50 inch/pound (either screw driver type or wrench style)

If I have the 2-50 in/lb wrench, because I bought it accidentally when I meant to buy the 5-75 ft/lb wrench... do I still get to be a super know it all?

[Black_peter]

Yeah the accuracy of a good Craftsman one is +/-3% above 20% of full range.
So even though it is "rated" at 20-240 ft/lbs it is really only accurate above 50 ft/lb..

I assume you're tightening the center screw of the ignition advancer, I would see if the auto parts stores near you "rent" torque wrenches. Autozone charges you a deposit but you get it all back I think.

[steves]

BTW, here's a read on torque wrenches from a couple of guys on one of my other forums:

http://www.titanspot.com/Titan/index.php?showtopic=1036

[Black_peter]

If I have the 2-50 in/lb wrench, because I bought it accidentally when I meant to buy the 5-75 ft/lb wrench... do I still get to be a super know it all?

Oh for soooo many reasons Steve, so many reasons..

[tmk7c9]

OK, Good question..
Marc and I had spirited "conversations" about torque wrenches in the past..
However we agreed that you really do need more than one.
12 Inch/pounds = 1 foot/pound (go figure )
Your average torque wrench ranges from 20 to 250 Foot/pounds, however the accuracy is on a curve. So down at 20 foot/ pounds it can be off 10-20% . Since 20 Ft/lb = 240 inch pounds your accuracy is +/- 48 inch pounds!
So IMO:
Basic home mechanic: 20-240 Ft/lb 1/2 drive wrench.
Semi-pro home mechanic also has: 5-75 ft/lb 3/8 drive.
Super know it all also has: 2- 50 inch/pound (either screw driver type or wrench style)

Good advice, I have 2 of them as well. a 3/8 drive in inch pounds, and a 1/2 inch drive in ft lbs.

An interesting bit of info.....I had my dad take my cheap-o Harbor freight 1/2" torque wrech to get "calibrated" by the techs at American Airlines. Turns out, it was within 3% at 3 different torque values.....which is well within accepted specs. Apparently there are plenty of snapons that aren't calibrated that well.

i'm not suggesting that all of them are that good. I think I just got lucky with mine. It's just something to think about. Just because you bought a $300 snapon torque wrench, doesn't always mean it's right. (although any torque wrench, no matter how cheap is better than "guessing")

[brentwoodkris]

I'm looking to install my ignition advancer soon

Where did you pick up the advancer?

[600Kat4EB]

Where did you pick up the advancer?

DennisKirk.com

I bought it for my ZZR, i may pick up one for the Kat next year but it depends on how much the mrs rides it (the katana that is ) this year

Yeah the accuracy of a good Craftsman one is +/-3% above 20% of full range.
So even though it is "rated" at 20-240 ft/lbs it is really only accurate above 50 ft/lb..

I assume you're tightening the center screw of the ignition advancer, I would see if the auto parts stores near you "rent" torque wrenches. Autozone charges you a deposit but you get it all back I think.

The center and the bolts around the case thats houses the advancer. I'll check out Autozone as well. I forgot that they do that really. i would like to own one at some point but money is tight so we'll see

thanks everyone for the info!

E