I have an old half inch drive beam type torque wrench (from the 60’* or 70’*). It only reads in foot pounds. I’ll be doing an upper intake replacement soon where the specs are in inch pounds (89 I believe). There’* a site out there (http://www.onlineconversion.com/torque.htm) that I found to do conversions and it comes up with 7.4 foot pounds. I know the bolts on the manifold are small so I’d have to use an adapter to go down to 3/8 drive. Will I be able to use my old torque wrench – will it be accurate enough, or should I get a newer and better one? Will I even be able to fit the half inch wrench in there?

You can use the 1/2" drive, but the graduations are too large to be very accurate. I bought a Craftsman 3/8" drive deflecting beam torque wrench for UIM/LIM work. It still reads in ft-lbs, but with much finer graduations, each line on the dial is 2.5 ft-lbs. It costs $25. The conversion is easy enough: 12 inch-lb = 1 foot-lb. Heres the link: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00944690000

I prefer deflecting beam torque wrenches not only because they are (usually) less expensive than the click type, but they are way more rugged. If you run over them with a truck, all you need to do is straighten out the pointer and the scale and it is as good as ever. They are not the most accurate +/- 4% I think; but that is close enough for anything I do.



Here'* an idea of the size of the wrench sitting on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

A big, 1/2" drive, 100+ ft lb type will be difficult or impossible to fit into some spots, and, as mentioned, will be very inaccurate below 20 or 30 ft lbs. If you are anal about torquing EVERY SINGLE bolt to correct spec, you've got to get a smaller one.

I got a Husky (model 39102) 3/8" drive, 20-250 in-lb, ratchet-to-click torque wrench (with storage case) off EBAY for like $70 shipped for doing UIM/LIM'*. It worked out great. I was able to use that single torque wrench for every single nut and bolt in the job.

Even though more expensive than the deflection type, I just personally like the ease and "foolproof-ness" of set-and-click types.

Go big or go home.



In all seriousness, my deflecting beam wrench doesn't have a fine enough scale to even know. I'd beg/borrow/steal a smaller torque wrench for top-end use.

Can you post a pic of yours up close like the one above?

I've purchased a couple from JCWhitney that I have been happy with.

Torque Wrenches

Welp, keep the beam type, but go find a new inch-lb wrench too.

I like my old Sears beam wrench, they are great for finding breakaway torques on bolts plus they never wear out. However one calibrated in foot-lbs isn't acurate enough to measure below 10ft-lbs. The inch-lb spec you asked about is below 10 ft-lbs. (That'* why it is in inch-lbs..it'* below the range of most torque wrenches calibrated in ft-lbs.)

And, when you are done using your new wrench, don't forget to dial it back to 0 before putting it in the drawer. The spring loaded ones can take a set that effects the accuracy if left on a setting other than zero for a while.

Now, repeat after me...

"This is my torque wrench. There are many like it but this one is mine.
My torque wrench is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
Without me, my torque wrench is useless. Without my torque wrench I am useless...."

Holy torque-wrench overseeing guard dogs Batman!!!!

That is a mighty wand, the lady said.

I too am in the market for a TW and will be monitoring this thread for any additional info.... keep it coming people!

You guys are hilarious!!! Here are some pics of the late 1960s or early 70s Craftsman torque wrench:

Against a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper for perspective

Sweeet. Mine looks more like Bills, Yours is more classic

The rifleman'* credo. Nice adaptation.

Don't forget that when torquing headers or exhaust manifolds, a swivel-head torque wrench is invaluable, if the engine is installed during torquing. In fact, without a swivel-head torque wrench, it'* virtually impossible to torque them correctly, if at all.

My next torque wrench will be a 0-100lb swivel-head 3/8" drive.