Don't get anal about bolts and torque!

[Patrick L.]

I agree with Tom, there are times for torque wrenches and there are times to leave them in the tool box.. That said, there are fellas that never seem to develop that critical ' calibrated elbow or wrist' and some that just don't know the proper use of the torque wrench.. Torques wrenches , like anything else mechanical, can be subject to failure and then the 'elbow' has to know when to tell you that enough is enough..

[Marco Tahtaras]

I agree entirely. The cylinder head is the only thing that I ever torque unless I'm doing some type of experimenting.

For those with a little less experience I'll repeat what I posted years ago. If you don't have a set of standard "combination wrenches", go down to Sears and buy a set. Even if you rarely use them, GET THEM! Now look at the length of each size wrench. They ARE NOT all different lengths just to fit nicely in your tool box! They are sized to limit your leverage so you don't over tighten the applicable fastener. These wrenches will show you the maximum distance from a given size nut or bolt you should be holding a standard ratchet until you develop some experience or feel.

Even when I was a kid it drove me crazy to see someone too cheap to own a socket set smaller than 1/2" drive. The smallest typical socket in these sets is a 1/2" which is the same as out pan and side cover bolts. To see someone pull out a big 8" long, bulky ratchet to tighten these tiny bolts seemed so absurd. It's a recipe for disaster for anyone lacking experience. I go the opposite route finding it easiest to use the SMALLEST ratchet available for a given bolt size unless there is a reason to do otherwise.