Affordable accurate torque wrench for spark plugs

[JimPghPA]

+1 an anything Tekton. Their good quality and not overpriced.

I bought a few torque wrenches before I knew of Tecton and bought one. And wish I had know of Tekton before buying the lower quality ones. I could of had the better quality Tekton at the same price I paid for those lower quality ones.

 

[The Critic]

I have no idea how you would operate a torque wrench on the back bank of spark plugs on my old 1MZ-FE. But maybe a real mechanic could do so although I wouldn’t know why. Torque angle is better anyway as it is independent of whether you’ve used anti-seize or not.

I’ve done many 1mz/3mz spark plugs using a CDI torque wrench such as this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004618UI8/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_FCT3W0D3WWEYN7WA6V65_0

 

[Rat407]

Park Tools have beam and click torque wrenches that go really low if you are concerned. I have been putting in spark plugs hand tight for years with no issues. But I can see your concern.

https://www.parktool.com/en-us/category/torque-tools

 

[billt460]

For the cost, the accuracy and repeatability of these are pretty hard to beat. And let's be honest, plus or minus 5% on a torque wrench isn't going to amount to anything. As long as it repeats within that range. These do. It's just not necessary to spend hundreds on a torque wrench.

I do like the AAA batteries over the small wafer cells. A couple of Lithium AAA's will run circles over those tiny wafers as far as longevity.

 

[willbur]

These work really nice. They're inexpensive, and you can put them in between the ratchet and your extension. The torque range is from 5.9 to 59 ft. lbs.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-digital-torque-adapter-58705.html

Yes they work fine. had bad luck with the HF ones. Took three tries/returns to get a good one, YMMV

 

[DwightFrye]

The OP asked about a torque wrench to install spark plugs. That means a wrench with a fairly low ft/lbs range and not one that goes up to 100 ft/lbs and beyond that would also be used to torque lug nuts and other items.

I have one of the high torque level wrenches but decided I needed one that would be accurate at the lower ranges. And I wanted a digital one that came with a certificate of calibration. Affordable ? I guess that's relative. I bought this one and use it for things like oil drain plugs and cannister oil filters that require torque in the neighborhood of 25 ft/lbs. I'm completely satisfied. It is easy to change the readout from ft/lbs to Nm and you can set it to beep when the desired torque is reached or watch the readout as it increases and then beeps.

I use inexpensive Harbor Freight wrenches for general tasks but decided I wanted a higher quality item when it came to a torque wrench that would be used on parts that could easily be over torqued or broken if the wrench was way off on its readings.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM601-3-Digital-ft-lbs-Notification/dp/B004VYUQI2/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1J15BDOHM71F2&keywords=ac+delco+digital+torque+wrench&qid=1668263857&sprefix=ac+delco+digital+torque+wrench,aps,1010&sr=8-6

 

[Kira]

then 1/2 to one more turn with the wrench for plugs with gaskets and 1/4 to 1/2 more without gaskets.

Those numbers seem a quite high even for generalities.

 

[RooflessVW]

And I wanted a digital one that came with a certificate of calibration.

Every torque wrench comes with a cal cert. They're not worth the paper they're printed on.

I send mine out before use.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Cold engine always.

a) Tighten to collapse crush washer (don't reuse) then a little extra tug.

b) Gasket-less plugs follow manufacturers instruction on tightening angle after seat contact.

note: I will use a torque wrench on most sport bike engines.

I haven't purchased a new wrench in a while so I can't recommend.
IIRC we have a click `snap-on 2 footer and a beam torque for low TTY torque jobs - like Asian cam box assembly.

 

[atikovi]

Those numbers seem a quite high even for generalities.

The threads on a typical plug are 1 mm give or take, so one turn moves them in 1 mm. The crush washer will easily crush 1/2 mm or more so 1/2 to one turn is reasonable. Obviously you don't go gorilla on them and after installing a dozen plugs, you get a feel for what is right.

 

[billt460]

The OP asked about a torque wrench to install spark plugs. That means a wrench with a fairly low ft/lbs range and not one that goes up to 100 ft/lbs and beyond that would also be used to torque lug nuts and other items.

I have one of the high torque level wrenches but decided I needed one that would be accurate at the lower ranges. And I wanted a digital one that came with a certificate of calibration. Affordable ? I guess that's relative. I bought this one and use it for things like oil drain plugs and cannister oil filters that require torque in the neighborhood of 25 ft/lbs. I'm completely satisfied. It is easy to change the readout from ft/lbs to Nm and you can set it to beep when the desired torque is reached or watch the readout as it increases and then beeps.

I use inexpensive Harbor Freight wrenches for general tasks but decided I wanted a higher quality item when it came to a torque wrench that would be used on parts that could easily be over torqued or broken if the wrench was way off on its readings.

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM601-3-Digital-ft-lbs-Notification/dp/B004VYUQI2/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1J15BDOHM71F2&keywords=ac+delco+digital+torque+wrench&qid=1668263857&sprefix=ac+delco+digital+torque+wrench,aps,1010&sr=8-6

From what I'm seeing, "AC Delco" is like "Bell & Howell". A Chi-Com manufactured variety of products, with an American name that insinuates differently. With Harbor Freight you know it's most likely Chi-Com, because that company was built on that manufacturing premise.

I have nothing against Chi-Com manufactured goods. And I own several Chi-Com tools. But in the case of the digital torque wrench adapters that were tested in the Youtube video above, the "AC Delco" was almost twice as much, and probably came off the same assembly line.

It was just badged and packaged differently. The guy even mentions this in the video.

 

[Snagglefoot]

If it does exists, it will be used to torque spark plugs, ranges from 13-18 ft lbs.

I prefer 3/8 if possible.

Is there a significant difference from digital vs standard?

Appreciate any recommendation or suggestions.

Depending on the vehicle, getting the wrench into position will be the biggest challange. This 1/4 inch Tekton with a 200 in lb limit might be good. You can get 1/4 inch drive spark plug sockets.

 

[Deleted member 89374]

I have nothing against Chi-Com manufactured goods. And I own several Chi-Com tools.

Wouldn't it be more accurate to call them Com-Chi?

We have fallen so badly that now when an idea for a product originates in the US it says in big bold letteres "Designed in the USA" and in small font "Manufactured in China". It's ridiculous!

 

[Snagglefoot]

They manufacture jet aircraft in China. It’s time to move ahead.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Is $101 affordable? Norbar has several excellent torque wrenches that meet your requirements, such as this 3/8" drive 8-35 ft-lb model:

https://www.norbarusa.com/products/.../category_multid/50/range_multid/309/id/23380

https://www.amazon.com/Square-Adjus...rbar+torque+wrench+tti50+13841,aps,150&sr=8-1

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/a-couple-of-nice-torque-wrenches.332579/

I have to agree with this post. Sometimes you need to spring for a little more; a torque wrench is the perfect time to do so.

 

[Chris142]

I have never found an engine where it was impossible to use a torque wrench on the spark plugs.

You have never worked on a ford Aerostar or a Chevy van with a 350?

 

[The Critic]

You have never worked on a ford Aerostar or a Chevy van with a 350?

I guess not. Then again, I haven’t seen one on the road in over a decade.

 

[RooflessVW]

You have never worked on a ford Aerostar or a Chevy van with a 350?

If you can use a ratchet, you can use a torque wrench.

 

[Chris142]

I guess not. Then again, I haven’t seen one on the road in over a decade.

Come down here! The homeless live in them!

 

[redbone3]

https://etork.com/product/c1200/


I have been impressed with the etork wrenches. They are accurate and easy to set (the setting is through a window and is the most user friendly of all the click type torque wrenches).