Best options for under sized Torque Wrench?

[gray rider]

I don't have access to a mamajama magnum torque wrench, so I am renting a 250 ft-lb wrench from Autozone for my oil pump seal replacement.

In order to get to 318? ft-lbs on the main crank bolt as required, what options do you think I have?:

Torque to 250 and rig a cheater pipe on 3/4" breaker bar to gain the additional ft-lbs essentially by "feel"

Other?

Thanks....

 

[IBCRUSN]

You could fabricate a torque adapter that will effectively take the 250 ftlb setting up to the 304ftlbs if you have the tools and fab skills. I attempted to make an adapter that was easy to handle and could stand up to that kind of torque but it didn't work very well. I didn't spend a bunch of time making it so no major drama. I ended up purchasing a torque wrench that covers the torque range required. Maybe try another tool rental store? You could try the "feel" or calibrated elbow technique but bear in mind the crank gear that drives your oil pump and PS pump is not keyed to the crank and is driven when the crank bolt is torqued correctly to spec.

 

[kirkm76]

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-808.html

I think this is the one I got when I did my motor though I thought mine went to like 350. Either way, 300 is probably close enough. I have no issues and rock solid oil pressure.

 

[mmml4]

Just for reference. Maybe a rental.
http://www.toolup.com/proto_j6222_2...scplp1078885&gclid=CPfH5JWRg7gCFY0WMgodslwAhA

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Holy s***. By feel? Do you think the torque scale is linear and you can 'feel' it? Do you think Mr. T put an approximate value on the crank bolt?
Buy a proper torque wrench or don't touch such bolts.
And we wonder why so much previous owner "maintenance" fxxxs up these trucks.
Cheers, have a drink,
Jan

 

[gray rider]

You could fabricate a torque adapter that will effectively take the 250 ftlbs up to the 304ftlbs. I attempted to make an adapter and to make something that was easy to handle and could stand up to that kind of torque didn't work so well. I ended up purchasing a torque wrench that covers the torque range. Maybe try another tool rental store? You could try the "feel" or calibrated elbow technique but bear in mind the gear that drives your oil pump and PS pump is not keyed and only drives when the crank bolt is torqued adequately.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-808.html

I think this is the one I got when I did my motor though I thought mine went to like 350. Either way, 300 is probably close enough. I have no issues and rock solid oil pressure.

I bought the HF wrench today. Goes to 300#. But I'm concerned about the precision of the HF tool (obvious reasons, its HF, afterall)

Do you think it is accurate? If so, then i click out 300 and "feel" for
4 more ft-lbs. Close enough and cigars too?

 

[gray rider]

Holy ****. By feel? Do you think the torque scale is linear and you can 'feel' it? Do you think Mr. T put an approximate value on the crank bolt?
Buy a proper torque wrench or don't touch such bolts.
And we wonder why so much previous owner "maintenance" ****s up these trucks.
Cheers, have a drink,
Jan

Lighten up Francis. lol.
I think Mr T put an exact number on the crank bolt.
The "proper" wrench at NAPA sells for over $600.00 which is the only one I can find.
So I should buy it or take it to dealer for the $1100.00 quoted price for the service?
I was only wondering what you thought of leveraging 60.8 lbs force (not mass) on a 5 ft distant load point?

 

[IBCRUSN]

I'd be willing to bet that the wrench has at least a 5-10% margin of error so if you set it for 300 ftlbs you should be okay. It would certainly be better to know it's close to or right at 300 than a big ???

 

[gray rider]

Just for reference. Maybe a rental.
http://www.toolup.com/proto_j6222_2...scplp1078885&gclid=CPfH5JWRg7gCFY0WMgodslwAhA

Thanks for the info Triple M. The price for that site's wrench is $439.
The price is coming down form the NAPA $600!! This is the right direction.

I have checked a half dozen rental houses and no go so far in the area....

 

[gray rider]

I'd be willing to bet that the wrench has at least a 5-10% margin of error so if you set it for 300 ftlbs you should be okay. It would certainly be better to know it's close to or right at 300 than a big ???

Agree IB
But if it is off by 10%, then I'm at 270 lbs.
If I use the Autozone semi-more accurate wrench (for free) I'm at 250#, plus a minimum 20# more oomph = 270 for essentially no cost.

I would buy an accurate 305 lb wrench for 150 bucks if it existed.
I would rent one for 50 bucks if it existed.

Stumped....

 

[Rookie2]

I was only wondering what you thought of leveraging 60.8 lbs force (not mass) on a 5 ft distant load point?

I don't see why not.

If you go the rental route you need to be looking for an outfit that's more of a machinery and tool rental place, not you're run of the mill tile saw and post hole digger joint.

 

[maxamillion2345]

I bought the HF wrench today. Goes to 300#. But I'm concerned about the precision of the HF tool (obvious reasons, its HF, afterall)

Do you think it is accurate? If so, then i click out 300 and "feel" for
4 more ft-lbs. Close enough and cigars too?

It's going to be accurate with within +- 12 ft lbs so says HF. Not a big deal IMO.

 

[gray rider]

I don't see why not.

If you go the rental route you need to be looking for an outfit that's more of a machinery and tool rental place, not you're run of the mill tile saw and post hole digger joint.

Yep agree, will look tomorrow....thanks

 

[gray rider]

It's going to be accurate with within +- 12 ft lbs so says HF. Not a big deal IMO.

Ok Max,
So i would be good to go at 292 ft-lbs or 316 ft-lbs in your opinion?

 

[maxamillion2345]

Here's a little cheaper, still within 4% like HF, much better design and not working at it's max.

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Instruments-Torque-Detachable-200-600/dp/B000RT8ENE

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

If you weren't on the other side of the country I'd let you borrow my snap on 100-600. I say find a friend that works on Diesel Rigs or Airplanes. I do the latter.

Fat-fingered on my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[gray rider]

Here's a little cheaper, still within 4% like HF, much better design and not working at it's max.

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Instruments-Torque-Detachable-200-600/dp/B000RT8ENE

$334.00. As Carl Spackler said: "I'd keep playing"

 

[maxamillion2345]

Ok Max,
So i would be good to go at 292 ft-lbs or 316 ft-lbs in your opinion?

Well... thinking a little more... you are working at it's MAX setting and generally you want to avoid that. As well it's HF and who knows how accurate their statement of +-4% is, especially at the MAX setting. Now... I think if you're close to 300 you'd be fine, IMO, but who knows where the damn HF wrench will get you. You could always take it to a shop for final torque.

But if it did get to between 292 and 316 I'd be comfortable with that on my rig.

Edit: why did I think we were shooting for 305 and not 318. IMO best option is to borrow a torque wrench capable much beyond 318, I agree with finding diesel or aircraft mechanic/tech. Or final torque at a shop after maxing out HF wrench.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Just a thought, but I've seen some garages where you can rent time and use of their lifts. I think they also rent certain specialty tools to their customers. Might check around your area for something similar.

 

[nemoblackdog]

The easiest solution is probably 6ft strong iron pipe to use as a cheater + spring scale rated to measure out to at least 50# (lots available online at places like Amazon). I bet you can probably put this combo together for under $40 - maybe even half that. (You'll still need a socket and breaker bar, of course, but those are much cheaper to procure than a 300#-rated torque wrench.

50*6=300, plus a bit more to get you to 318-ish.

Or do the math and come up with a "comfortable" length and spring scale range that works for you.

Realize that the torque to actual bolt tension tolerance is probably quite wide on this one as there's a lot of friction involved and these are not pristine friction surfaces anymore.