Torque wrench N.m and foot lbs question

[fwuffy squirrel]

Hey guys I just broke my second bolt off (good thing it wasnt in my motor this time) and Im just wondering... Im putting on Rocker arm stoppers and im in the process of putting the thing back together. Well the FSM (according to this site) http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=224734 says 8.7 ft per pound and the wrench starts on 10. which also translates into 11.8 n.m but 11.8 nm on the wrench is 87 lbs. Which is how I broke the first bolt and the second one....

Can anyone help before I put an Sr20 (and my life) in its grave?

[Sir]

you did math wrong somewhere.
either way 7-8ft lbs sounds right.
go get a smaller torque wrench, maybe "in/lbs" one at Sears.

[silvia-junkie]

1ft/lb=1.356n-m. 8ft/lb is 10.8n-m. try a in/lb wrench and set it for 96in/lb.

torque wrencehs are not always that accurate towards the ends of their ranges. that or the wrench might not be calibrated. they recomend that you always set the wrench to zero befor putting it away.

[aznpoopy]

stop trying to torque it to 87 ft / lbs

either your torque wrench is wrong or you are using it wrong or you are reading it wrong

[fwuffy squirrel]

Nah the torque wrench I borrowed from my friend is large and since idk squat about cars I thought all torque wrenches were created equal I guess I was wrong. Thx for the info and even though ive never worked on cars I still had a bad feeling but the lowerest the wrench went is 10lbs so idk I natrually assumed (yes I know assume = ass u and me) but hey I learned my lesson. I bought all new bolts from the dealership since I torqued down half of them at like 20 lbs and im gana go out and get a smaller torque wrench. thx again and boo for me knowing nothing I hope some other noob reads this and learns from my mistake.

[Koopa Troopa]

I'da just used a ratchet and felt it out....

[Dream240]

I'da just used a ratchet and felt it out....

Werd, your typical "hand tightening" will result in around 5-8 foot pounds by itself.
That's of course depending on how "strong" you've made your forearms... :naughty:

It sounds like you are reading the settings wrong on the torque wrench and using the wrench wrong. Once you hear the "click", stop turning the wrench! Just a tip.

[tknbkthrsdy4anfg]

I would seriously get an inch/lb torque wrench, if its off the bottom end of the scale, you probably aren't getting even close to an accurate torque there.

8.7ft/lbs is 104.4in/lbs. save yourself the headache later and do it right.

[Luvs2slide]

Usually when the FSM gives you a certain number to torque your bolts to, there ALWAYS limits. So you would figure that if the FSM states "torque to 8.7. ft. lbs," you should have a window of maybe 7-10 ft. lbs. I calibrate wrenches for the USAF and there are many few that are very accurate. Most are usually about 4-6% of indication. So even if you tighten it down with the wrench you have, you should still be ok. But like someone said earlier, once the wrench reaches it breaking point, it will click. If it doesnt click, your shit is broke. And if its an old ass wrench, and you don't get it calibrated (which you probably don't) I would spend the money on a new one. Especially if you are doing motor work. Yes, when not in use please keep the wrenches at the lowest notch on the handle. Not as much as the handle will turn counter-clockwise. This WILL fuck up your wrench with a quickness. Oh, and if you ever dropped yours, its probably fucked up too lol. Sorry for the long ass essay guys. :-/

[usajdm]

8.7 ftpds = 11.8 newton-meters
(multiply *ftpd by 1.35 to get N.m)

So redo setting your wrench to "11.8"N.m
Try getting yourself a craftsman or if you can afford it a snap-on....... its worth it!