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The only torque wrench I own is too big for small engines.

I would like some suggestions on what I need to get for general small engine repair. Model, type, brand, range. that type of stuff.

torque wrenches I use are the clicker type purchased from an auto parts store. I have an inch/pound one that goes to 250 and a foot/pound that goes to 150. what you get will depend on your personal preferences. clicker type or beam type is doesn't matter.

The one I have is a clicker type that goes to 100 ft/lb. I prefer it to the beam and pointer thingy.
Something that goes to 250 in/lbs will cover most of what I need then?

To be brutally honest.....

I haven't used a torque wrench in 10 or so years.....

Dang..... Look at all of those dark, foreboding clouds to the west........

LOL ............ but I tend to break things like threads and bolts

You probably should work for a bookie or a RENTACENTER!!!!

No thanks, I like to sit comfortably on the patio and drink my beer. I only beat on the occasional lawnmower if it makes me.
Speaking of which I did beat a nonworking solenoid into a working one this afternoon. Not very professional but the engine runs now ........... sorta.

I just tell folk to "Smurf" them down evenly, and all will be fine....

My "haters" should be here shortly.......

Fish said:

My "haters" should be here shortly.......

Click to expand...

No hating on this one.
I also just get them tight and close as I can to being the same.

Wish I had that kind of control ........... The only way I can tell if they're all the same tight is when they won't turn any more.

Okay guys, I wimped out and ordered this a little while ago. Guess y'all gonna make me go sit on the porch now. Huh.

TEKTON 24320 1/4-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench, 20-200-Inch/Pound

Maybe it will keep me out of trouble anyway.

I have been doing repair work for years. Yes in a pinch I don't use a torque wrench. When I put a engine together most of my work is done with a torque wrench. I really don't see where its any big deal if you use one or not. I even install spark plugs with a torque wrench. Another thing I use is a lot of the blue locktite. I own five different torque wrenches of different types. I guess its in my twisted mine I do a better job using a torque wrench and will hang my head in shame next time I use one just for who ever.

I normally only use it for critical torque spec areas, such as head bolts, flywheel nuts, rod bolts, pan or side cover bolts.

ILENGINE said:

I normally only use it for critical torque spec areas, such as head bolts, flywheel nuts, rod bolts, pan or side cover bolts.

Click to expand...

All I can say is you better hold your head in shame :frown:

Naw, I have no problem with anyone using a torque wrench, I just said that I haven't used mine in 10 years or so....

You can get a 1/4" Clicker-style torque wrench from HF for $10-12. They actually work pretty well. May not be as accurate as fancy ones but a LOT better than nothing.

cuengineer said:

You can get a 1/4" Clicker-style torque wrench from HF for $10-12. They actually work pretty well. May not be as accurate as fancy ones but a LOT better than nothing.

Click to expand...

I have two torque wrenches from harbor freight. I don't do a lot of work but it's nice to have!! The one is for small torques in Inch pounds and the other for heavier torques in foot lbs. But here is the catch, The larger one is very inaccurate, It is going back to harbor freight since it is a Pittsburgh and they are guaranteed for life.
I had an engineer teach me how to test them. It's pretty simple. The formula is " torque = distance X weight. "
You measure the length of the wrench from the center of the socket connection to the center of the hand hold,(there is usually a ring around the handle at that point), then plug the numbers into the formula to find the weight needed to make the clicker operate. (remember to use feet in the distance for foot lbs and inches for inch lbs) Next you secure the socket end and have the handle out horizontal. To secure it you could hook it on a lug nut on a car or place it in a an elevated vice, just make sure it is secure and has room to dangle a weight off of the handle . The third item is to hang a weight on the handle at the ring marking, and very slowly transfer the weight from your hands to the torque wrench. It should just click at that point. adding a little pressure with your pinky finger or subtracting a little will help determine how close it really is. I made tests every 50foot lbs on the larger one and every 25 inch LBS on the smaller one. I used gravel in a bucket and a short rope to connect it. Every test result was inaccurate on the larger one!!
Every test was correct on the smaller one!!
My larger one is more than 20 % out at 100lbs, but my small one is right on the money.

Here is an example; if the torque wrench is 20 inches long, that equals 1.67 feet. (20 inches / 12 inches to convert to feet) If you want 100 foot lbs, the formula is "100 foot lbs= 1.67 feet X 59.9 lbs".(100 / 1.67 = 59.9 to get the weight) so you would use a weight of 59.9 lbs, 20 inches down the handle. Pretty simple!
The down side of the smaller one is that it only clicks in the tightening direction, not the loosening direct. The larger one works both ways.
I hope this is of value to someone.
Thanks Rex

I'm kind of like Fish. I really don't use one. But I had one sitting around for a very long time, lent it to a neighbor, and he said he lost it.

SO, just to have one, I bought this one from Amazon. I prefer the Needle indicator type. And this one.... well... the price was RIGHT for something I may use once a year.

Neiko Classic Needle-Style Dual 3/8-Inch & 1/2-Inch Drive 0-150 Ft./Lb. SAE & Metric Torque Wrench - - Amazon.com

I havent used a torque wrench on a mower since i first started I agree with fish. I do however own all three clicker type torque wrenches from Harbor Freight and I did break one took it in and they replaced it free Use them all the time with cars

Yeah, the torque wrench is likely more for "eveness" over the gasket areas........

Which if your careful you can usually do by hand. Tighten them till they stoppit turning then in cross cross pattern turn them one turn at a time