torque wrench.

[mick znone]

advice needed guys, im replacing the cam cover gasket tomorrow, i understand the 16 bolts need to be tightened to 104 in-lb, i have bought a torque wrench which ranges from 28-210 newton metres, i take it i have the wrong wrench or can it be converted ive never torqued anything.

[Gus]

It can be converted

http://www.onlineconversion.com/torque.htm

104 lb-inch = 11.75 Newton metres

Unfortunately the range of your torque wrench is too high.

[chrisu]

which is why saddos like me have 3 torque wrenches......

[mick znone]

many thanks Gus, will take wrench back, it starts at 25, blummin rubbish.

i will try the light pinch up of each bolt method, in sequence

[m1ks]

With something like the cam cover tightening by hand is fine, just make sure you don't confuse in-lb with ft-lb
There are usually a few low torque critical bits in an engine which i'd always use a wrench for but most lightweight ones are ok with a good application of common sense, make sure mating surfaces are spotless and nip up sequentially in a clockwise from centre manner like a head bolt set.

Ironically you find the low range torque wrenches are the costlier ones, Halfords used to do decent ones for £50-ish each which isn't bad.
your generic Argos £15 50-150ft-lb wrenches are fine for general maintenence use, i have one of these and a precision accurate small un. If I were ever into professional racing builds then a set of three minimum top quality ones would be the order of the day.

[zeroed]

£25 Draper very well made and good enuf for me!

[toycollector10]

I've got "Cylinder Head Cover Bolts" 70 in-lbs or 0.8 kg-m stated in my Shop Manual.

[BShaw]

Mick, a normal 10mm spanner and two fingers should do it, that's why spanners are the size they are. I use a bit of silicone as well ( but that's just my opinion) you should have a van full of clear !!