Hope this isn't too off topic, but getting a little sick of snapping off engine casing bolts or getting leaks due to not tightening enough.

Can anyone recommend a good small and easy to use torque wrench for general engine casing bolts etc?

I feel like a prat but I really have no idea how to set one of these things against the manual values either, so any pointers would be great.

I've started ordering OEM bolts as standard when refitting gaskets/cases too just to ensure the manual values are accurate.

There's a thread here mate.

OME bolts ... that will work out a bit expensive.
Drop onto one of the stainless bolt websites and order from thereget more than you need so you'll have some in stock.

If your over torquing the nuts then somethings a bit a miss - use a 1/4" ratchet do the all bolts up before you nip them up.
A touque wrench is a tool that you'll buy once in 10, 15, 20 years so go for something nice. I use Norbar but I've also given a Teng as a pressant. You can get them on the bay, Norbar aren't so well known so they can be cheaper in an auction.
Setting them is easy they have a knob at the botto that you wind up/down that moves an indicator on a scale. When you use it you hold the handle (not half way up or on the end) and use a smooth movement. If your doing something like head bolts you do them half torque first then by increments.

This is the one I have for the bigger stuff http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norbar-SL2-1- ... 4aab14927b at a good price too.
And then maybe this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Norbar-TruTor ... 256047f52f for the smaller stuff

That's much appreciated both. Evil - do you have a description for the 2nd smaller one you use - the links been removed from eBay due to age?

Norbar seem to have updated their range from "SL1" etc to a "TruTorque" range.

Of the SL range you need an SL1 3/4" or 1/2" dribve their range is 5.0 - 40.0 lbf•ft / 8.0 - 54.0 N•m http://www.norbar.com/SL1SteelKnob3_8__ ... oduct.aspx

& SL2 1/2" drive 20.0 - 110.0 lbf•ft / 30.0 - 150.0 N•m http://www.norbar.com/SL2SteelKnob1_2__ ... oduct.aspx

There are different versions of the same models where the units are different, you want a lb ft and N m

Of the new type I'd say the TT50 3/8" drive http://www.norbar.com/TorqueWrench_3_8_ ... oduct.aspx

and a TT150 http://www.norbar.com/TorqueWrench_1_2_ ... oduct.aspx

If you want a different brand then concentrate on the range, up to about 150nm for the big one and up to abot 50 on the smaller one.

That's superb! Thank you very much!

when you get one, dont be tempted to get the big un and have a go at stuck bolts etc. Use a breaker bar for that as it doesn't do the torque wrench much good i'm told! (when a engineer friend of mine saw me doing that!)

Taggy wrote:when you get one, dont be tempted to get the big un and have a go at stuck bolts etc. Use a breaker bar for that as it doesn't do the torque wrench much good i'm told! (when a engineer friend of mine saw me doing that!)

You Chav !!!!
I've got a breaker bar I think it was £10 at a show

profer to be a neanderthal than a chav!

knuckle dragger !!!