Torque Wrench?

[228jeeper]

Any suggestions for an affordable torque wrench and what size/adjustment range would be the most useful? Or would it be more affordable just to rent one? Thanks

 

[CJ]

What's affordable to you? 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" or 3/4"? Click or i-beam? How much torque?

I have 6 torque wrenches, a 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" i-beam and a 3/8" and a 1/2" click type.

I-beams are much cheaper then click (release) types, but never need calibrating and have been used successfully for many years!

What will be your general application?

 

[228jeeper]

For right now, the application will be to replace the valve cover gasket. I have never owned a torque wrench, and I am not super mechanically inclined, but since I bought this jeep I am learning, trying to do basic stuff myself. Any suggestions? Thanks for the reply.

 

[CJ]

To use a torque wrench on a valve cover gasket (to factory specs) you would need a 1/4" i-beam wrench - a waste of money in your situation. The only time I ever use my 1/4" is when setting the preload on a pinion bearing...

To accurately torque that valve cover, you should use the "calibrated right arm"...
Snug all bolts down then retorque all the bolts just a bit more... The torque is "tight but not too tight".
Use a nice bead of RVT on both sides of the gasket and you should have a leak free cover. On your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l it is imperative that the cover is not warped or be bent at all.

 

[228jeeper]

I like that idea. More $ to spend on stuff other than a tool. It's an aluminum cover, btw. Thanks for the help

 

[CJ]

Aluminum covers are much more forgiving and seal better then stock ones, just use that "calibrated right arm", be careful and you should be fine.

 

[cerrajero]

i keep a SHARPIE marker around all the time for stuff like that.
snug it mark it at a 12 oclock position and turn it to 3 oclock or 1/4 incremements
it helps me

 

[IOPort51]

When you do need a torque wrench, or a moment wrench as my physics prof called it, get a decent one. You will be together for a long long time. I like the click type. I , personally, don't think precision is as important an consistency. The idea is to have every thing the same amount of "tight". that said, the first one should be 3/8", suitable for torquing head bolts, rods, mains and clutch bolts. I will try to torque everything I can find a torque rating for, I have even torqued spark plugs. in aluminum heads.
CJ is dead on valve covers are a question of feel, resist the urge to tighten them.