Torque Wrench question...kinda dumb.....dah dumb dumb

[dogmuddybuddy]

Ok I recently purchased a new torque wrench and before I attempt a head and valve gasket replacement I decided to retorque the valve cover bolts.

Here's the question: B/c I am not very familiar with the new wrench 58 lbs of torque is fairly tight I always thought that the valve covers bolts were kinda light but 58 lbs is pretty dern snug??

What gives? Am I a big sissy or does the wrench suck?

It works properly but damn 58 seems too tight!

Thanks In Advance

Kevin

[ought2]

I thought they were supposed to be 8-10 ft, lbs.

[jgerock]

Where in the world did you get that spec. for the tiny acorn nuts? That is way too tight. Use a 1/4 drive ratchet and get them snug.

[Guest Anonymous]

58 is about what head bolts should be - valve cover would be about 8-10 ft lbs.

[dogmuddybuddy]

Seemed crazy...I warned you!

..I'm glad I asked so the valve cover "acorn nuts" is only 8-10 lbs?? That is pretty light

and the head is 58 lbs??

makes sense

[02for2]

It really depends on which head gasket you have.

Some are a straight torque figure - 54ft.lbs. / 75Nm (not 58 ft.lbs. - source - Haynes Manual).

But some require a torque value and then an additional angle-torque value for which you'll need an Torque-angle meter

And, these are one-time bolts. You should always use new bolts. These stretch as a function of their design, but only once.

Also, be sure the threads and taps are clean - All torque figures assume a dry thread (unless otherwise stated). If using any lube or dry lube, rule-of-thumb is to reduce the torque spec by 50% to compensate for the lost friction.

Cheers!

[TobyB]

horseshit.

the bolts are reusable.

ALL fasteners stretch- that's how they work.

these do not deform, so you can reuse them

if they are not damaged.

you can replace them if you want, but I have

4-5 cycles on the bolts on the race engine and

they have yet to deform.

all my other cars have used bolts of factory origin.

As in, they were first installed in the car when it was new.

and the spec is for engine oil, not dry.

(grumpy)

t

[kbmb02]

(grumpy)

+1 for Toby (for both the info, and the rugged response).

[02for2]

Whatever.. guess you are Da' man!

Cheers!

[rctid]

FWIW

Check units! ft-lbs are not in-lbs are not N-m...

58 IN-lbs sounds about right, approx 4.8 FT-lbs...

Applying 58 ft-lbs to the cover bolts would probably strip the nuts and/or bolts

Good Luck!

[Napes]

Here's a list of torque values for our cars, if you're interested.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/content/view/48/32/

Bob Napier