Torque values

B

Big hammer

Well-known member
I pulled treads from 1 out of 4 bolts. Doing some homework on torque values,
I found a lot of variables, plated/plain,speed of install,fine/course threads,
clean,oiled,or antiseize etc !!!!

So now I understand why when posters ask for values for this and that
some don't answer, some give funny answers, and some give bad answers?

In my problem 55 ft/lbs was good, decrease for plated,decrease for oiled
threads or antiseize, etc ! So now I understand why some do or don't
respond to some asking question! TO MANY VARIABLES 30 ft/lbs could
have been the value in this case. Previously over torqued bolt in my case!

Class dismissed Big Hammer with a Big Wrench :-)
 
On these old cars I think it is best to train the hand/brain, bolt/nut relationship, and forget the torque wrench except as a verification tool. I do torque my head @55# & wheels to 65# for even seating tho, just for my peace of mind.
 
Torque wrenches work fine but like any tool, you have to either be trained or learn it yourself how to use it PROPERLY.
You have to take into account the variables.
Just slapping it on a screw and pulling won't always give you the results you want.
 
Re torqueing especially head nuts , always back off 1st then torque them, How many have their torque wrench checked ??? have 3 & all give different readings , 2 headed to rubbish bin, Pete is correct , YEAH its raining in NZ , We needed it.
 
There's a GREAT ART, to learn by FEEL, what a BOLT/NUT/GASKET is doing. It's an acquired art, from MANY years of EXPERIENCE. Common sense can be an excellent guide, also.
Bill W.
 
Most of us are not mechanics and do not have the feel for the proper torque that those "back in the day" had, thus we have the table of values they did not have. I feel that the 55# head torque values do two things for most of us now. (The value is the minimum necessary to help in keeping the head gasket from blowing.) The reason to use a torque wrench is to; obtain this minimum value and, to be sure the same amount is on all the studs for even clamping.

And you are 100 percent right that the value for a given size will change based on the variables you listed.
 
most ppl do not know that you can over torque with a clicker type wrench if you don't ease off here and there. If you just apply steady force and never ease up some you will soon be at 80 pounds and whammo there go the threads. You have to know your tools.
No similar issue with the beam type wrench
 
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