I was using my new professional digital torque wrench to install spark plugs on my sb chevy, 15lbs, and when i hit 15lbs, it beeped but also let loose like it stripped out. I said oh sh__. I loosened the plug by hand and both threads were perfect. I have used this wrench a bench and it has never done that and the instructions dont list a break a way feature.
Yes, I'd like to know. Cuz I'm in the market for one. I think I might get one of them there old fashioned needle type.
Its a snapon tech 2. Got a great deal on it. After my last chinese special tool a dump at $100, this time i tripled the cost, 3x better, i hope.
> > when i hit 15lbs, it beeped but also let loose l> >I loosened the plug by hand> >Its a snapon tech 2. Got a great deal on it. >> Maybe you got a fake or a lemon. You wouldn't be able to loosen the plug by hand if it was really tightened to 15 ft/lbs
Occasionally, when the pawls/gear teeth in the ratcheting head and the main gear, don't engage "fully", and you start pulling on the handle, the teeth will separate, unlock and you'll feel that loose, or "broken" feeling, until the the ratchet tooth reengage with another tooth. Older tools are more prone to doing this, but it "can" happen with a newer tool too. You should be fine. Mike
I'm no professional mechanic and I have installed a lot of spark plugs in my life and never used a torque wrench to install them. HRP
I've read what the torque is for spark plugs, but never used a torque wrench to tighten them. But then I'm pretty good at estimating torque...
Yep, I have never used a Torque Wrench installing Spark plugs, and wound't on older heads, but if I did I would use a 3/8" Inch Pound Wrench.
I've never used a torque wrench on spark plugs . Nor have I used an air or electric impact installing mag wheels. I cringe when I see that on tv. Of course the torque wrench comes out for that job a couple of times.
I use an impact all the time when installing aluminum wheels, but I also stop before the nuts get too tight, then use a torque wrench. Spark plugs falling out won't kill me, but wheels falling off might.
I use a torque wrench on the initial installation of spark plugs on a flathead or a hemi, but I can't think of any other engine where you can get at 'em, especially in a car. Most of the time however, it's the old "calibrated elbow".
Guess none of you guys were mechanics in the military. There is a mill- spec for everything down to your farts and you better make sure its right on the money.
In the tool roll for each of my spark plug equipped vehicles, there is a fixed torque break away torque wrench, with a spark plug socket on it, except one vintage motorcycle, where it is under the tank.
Apparently none of you have changed spark plugs on a certain O/T Ford truck with aluminum heads. These engines are known for spitting out spark plugs like watermelon seeds.
A spark plug engineer for a major brand cautioned me not to overtorque spark plugs. He said a taper-seat plug should be tightened to snug-plus-1/16-turn.
Do the spark plugs you are torquing have washer or are they a tapered seat. If you were torquing a spark plug with a washer and the washer caught on the threads it might’ve jumped over the threads when you reached 15 ft lbs and released all the tension. I believe the rule of thumb after the plug is finger tight is 3/4 turn for washer type and 1/16 turn for tapered seat type. Using a torque wrench is the best practice. I use a torque wrench on my late model aluminum head stuff, and a 3/8 ratchet for iron headed stuff. Dan
I got asked about using a torque wrench for plugs at a job interview once. I answered honestly but did not get the job. It was at a forklift dealer back in the early '90's. My answer, "yes but no one does it'"
This man is 100% correct! (This coming from an old Navy aviation mech.) Can't speak for the Army, but there are some critical torques in aviation that REQUIRED a Q/A inspector to check what you set the wrench to and then watched you torque the nut/bolt, and had to sign off on the work order. Just sayin'.....Roger
No help on why it slipped , Accept the pawl & teeth . When Torquing a spark plug abetter option would been a 1/4 torque wrench Or a Low short rang 3/8s torque like a 10 inch ,, Many Here laugh on torque for spark plug , But there are situation where it does matter , depends on size , how many threads per inch & head material. For instance Blower to manifold 7/16 typical used the torque 8-10 pounds , Spindle nut , off top of head , I do by feel I would say 20-30 ponds , I did a big truck some time back & it was like 400 pounds Plus 1/2 turn
One winter I completely disassembled my sprint car for inspection and paint. This included all the running gear. Once in a while I would find a fastener that had loosened. Bouncing around on a rough dirt track tends to do that. Since I had a lot of time to reassemble the car I decided to use a torque wrench on every nut and bolt. I used the torque specs by bolt size that came with the torque wrench. I never had any fastener come loose after that. However, I only used this method when I had a lot of time.
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