Stranger things have happened :? .

What does your wrench show in newton meters?

A newton-meter is about 0.738 foot-pounds. A foot-pound is about 1.38 newton-meters. (the numbers jump very slightly depending on where you look).

Stay on this -- I think it'* a really important topic! Gaskets like those really pretty, hi-tech, blue ones from Felpro DO deserve to get put on right (as willwren is geting at). The OF (old fart -- meaning me ) is now looking at 1/4 inch torque wrenches. (the good ones seem to start at $200 retail, on ebay $100-150. Ebay has many for less than $50, including Snap-On, but are they any good?)

There'* tons of confusion in this area. You see retailers mixing inch-pounds and foot-pounds within the same specs frequently :? . Conversions of inch-pounds, foot-pounds, and newton-meters in torque spec tables are often wrong (not in our forum, as far as I know).

This topic is probably ripe for a new thread all by itself. (maybe I'll start one after a little more digging).

Here'* another thought. Since an inch/lbs wrench is talking low numbers..is it possible you are clicking it when you begin your pull and not realizing it?

Set it low..then push on the head with your hand..you should be able to click anything under say 40 inch/lbs. by pushing on the head.