How do you torque cylinder?

hotrodaj_2

New Member
Mar 23, 2010
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Central California
I rebuilt top end and everything went great except cylinder. I go to torque cylinder and I cant get my 3/8 drive torque wrench in there. There's not enough room, do I need to use a 1/4 drive wrench. I think the 1/4 is the way to go but that will still be tight. How did you do this?
 
i've heard that there are special crows foot wrenches that you can use,but, sears sells crows foot wrenches too and you can walk in and get them. then just add like 4-5 lb ft of torque to compensate.
 
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i've heard that there are special crows foot wrenches that you can use,but, sears sells crows foot wrenches too and you can walk in and get them. then just add like 4-5 lb ft of torque to compensate.

Actually putting a crows foot on a ratchet adds an inch or so increasing leverage, so you'd need to cut back on the torque setting. There are adapters for this purpose, but I use a crows foot as well. I try to have it sit at about 90 degrees from the ratchet handle to minimize this extra leverage and use the recommended settings.

I'll use my "built in" torque wrench on almost anything else, but it's important that a cylinder and head be torqued evenly. In a pinch I've even used a fishing scale on the end of a wrench.
 
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Crows foot huh, that will work. I didnt think of that. First of all I did use the my built in torque wrench, my elbow clicked around 20ft-lbs. That is how she will run untill I get a crows foot. The 90 degree suggestion was a good one, gonna do it if I can. Reps for u guys.
 
and please do a leakdown test before you run it. if you have an airleak it WILL blow up on you. i cannot stress this enuff, its the most important thing to a top end build