How to torque those pesky hard to get to header bolts - correctly

[dave6666]

We all do seat-of-the-pants dyno numbers right? And if you work on your own car we've all done feel-of-the-wrist bolt torques right?

Here's the correct way to torque the bottom row of bolts on those Belanger (and maybe others too) headers.

A crows foot will get at some of the bolts, but you need something a little longer for many on the bottom row. Commercial torque adapters are 2" long (and also box end ) so I made my own with a 1/2" open end wrench and a small 3/8 dr socket welded to it.




***VERY IMPORTANT***

You must correct the torque wrench setting for this adapter using the instructions supplied with your torque wrench. Do not use the same setting as you would with a socket!

The crows foot I used was 3/4" long for the torque adapter correction equation, and the new wrench setting was 190 in lb.

The 2" long adapter I made changed the setting to 175 in lb.

Your instructions might look something like these for my Proto, in the pic down below.

These links that follow provide some formulas that you can use if you can't find the literature for your tool. Also, they have formulas for both the torque extension adding length to the tool, as well as pointing back toward the tool as in many of the hands on pics I have after all of this technical crap.

Torque Wrench Adapter Extended Calculation - Engineers Edge

Torque Wrench Adapter Reduced Arm Calculation - Engineers Edge

My wrench uses length "L" of 13.55 inches, which makes the torque value 170.5 in lbs when the 2" long adapter is pointed back toward the handle, and 174.3 when pointed away from the handle. I used 175 in lbs as noted above.

All of the bolts that I couldn't get at until I made this tool, that I had tightened using the feel-of-the-wrist method, were too tight by the way, when I tried the new adapter on them. Instant torque wrench click. Backed 'em off and used the tool Luke. Not the force Luke.



Crows foot in action...



Dave's foot in action...

[mad0953]

I just torque my nuts down until the ewe starts kickin'!!!!!!!!

[ViperTony]

Very clever Dave. You should team up with Lou or Big Brake Dave and mass produce those adapters. Lou should include one with every set of headers he sells.

[Dom426h]

yes! send it to production asap, i'd like to have one

[FATHERFORD]

I have made my share of those...

Dad and I bought a few cheapo harbor freight wrench sets and socket sets just for this reason.

[Dom426h]

both me and my buddie have had harborfrieght wrenches snap.(likely cast) I'd like to see someone make these with a higher quality metal if they were to sell them to vca members. but now that i think about it i guess it wouldnt be to hard for any of us to stop by a local machineshop with the two parts and have them cut and weld for a few bucks.

[johnk]

Can you use Stage 8 locking header bolts?

Stage 8, Locking Fasteners For Car Engines & Industrial Equipment - Call Us Now! 1.800.843.7836

[BOTTLEFED]

harbor freight wrenches/sockets have a tendency to round the heads of bolts/nuts

could a tubenut wrench be used on those?


johnk, those are what are on my headers and they work perfect
but I still have trouble torquing the lower bolts

[FATHERFORD]

Originally Posted by BOTTLEFED

harbor freight wrenches/sockets have a tendency to round the heads of bolts/nuts

could a tubenut wrench be used on those?


johnk, those are what are on my headers and they work perfect
but I still have trouble torquing the lower bolts

After a while they will wear out and do that yes. But for a 1 or two time use, such as headers, they are perfect.

Now if you plan on working on your car a lot, then cut up some good ones.

[DAMN YANKEE]

Better yet....

THE FIRST SHARE AND SEND TOOL FOR VCA MEMBERS....

Somebody might make one of theses tools up and make it available to VCA members. Each emember gets the tool and the right "set torque" and is responsible for shipping.
Then he/she passes it on to the next person, who pays freight. When done the tool goes back to the maker.

[dave6666]

Originally Posted by BOTTLEFED

harbor freight wrenches/sockets have a tendency to round the heads of bolts/nuts

could a tubenut wrench be used on those?


johnk, those are what are on my headers and they work perfect
but I still have trouble torquing the lower bolts

A tube nut wrench would be too fat, and certainly too tall. I've even thought about trimming the sides of my tool a bit for better clearance, and it's just a regular combo wrench end.