I received my MD spacer, but don't own an inch-lb torque wrench. I'd like to do the install myself. Any suggestions on where to buy? Thanks.

 

sears or home depot carry torque wrenches

 

I got mine from Sears for $74.

 

+1 ditto

 

i got a cheap beam style on from Sears for like $20-something... look on their website

 

not worth it.

you can do the spacer install without the torque wrench. You can estimate it by hand how much you need to do it. There is nothing there that moves that requires precise numbers.

besides most of these torque wrenches are always off.

 

I beg to differ. A $75 torque wrench is cheaper than you stripping the very soft aluminum threads on the lower intake manifold because you overtorqued the bolts to what you interpreted as "snug". If you over torque the center bolts, you risk deforming or cracking the plastic spacer stand offs. 60 to 100 in/lbs is hardly anything. If you were to take a 3/8" socket wrench(8" long) and attempted to torque the plenum bolts with medium pressure until they stopped moving, you would be most likely be in the 300 in/lb range. I've worked with torque wrenches for years and I can tell you that guaging 100 in/lbs is damn near impossible.

I tested my Craftsman in/lbs wrench against my Craftsman ft/lb wrench. The 250 in/lb (~21lbs) setting matching the 20 ft/lb setting.

 

Don't buy the home depot HUSKY brand.

 

got mine at sears for $99. it is from 5lb to 80lb not to much but thats all i ever needed the higher lb you go the more $$$$.

 

I'm a little confused now. I already own a quality Craftsman foot-lb torque wrench. Is there some kind of conversion table for inches or should I just buy a new wrench?

 

I use either an inch-lb. or ft-lb. wrench depending on what the requirements are. However, if you feel that your ft.-lb. wrench is properly calibrated . . . You can opt to divide the inch-lb. setting by 12 and set your ft.-lb. wrench accordingly.

 

Using a torque wrench is better than not but keep in mind that the accuracy of these wrenches is highest at thier mid-point (40-60%) setting. If you use a ft-lbs calibrated wrench don't expect accurate in-lb operation in the outer ranges. As with most things - the right tool for the job is what counts. Be careful out there.