Torque wrench recommendations

[chas036]

I have noticed that the 50 I bought at an auction last sept , it has oil leaking slowly from under a couple of the upper nuts that bolt the cylinder block to transmission compartment. I am suspecting that maybe someone before had the engine apart , and because these nuts are impossible to fit a socket in there, they used a regular wrench and didn't torque them correctly. I don't have a torque wrench and when I looked at prices and types of wrenchs, they range from $30 for the old fashion lever type, to $200 plus for the click and digital type. Can someone recommend a good wrench that is not overly expensive.

 

[used red MN]

Put a wrench on it with another one with the box end locked onto the open end and see if it will tighten. I don’t think anyone will say anything to negative about a Craftsman from Ace. The quality of specialty tools from Harbor Freight has come up a quite a bit in the last 5 years or so.

 

[farmer52]

I have click type torque wrenches from HF and no issues. Although I am not a frequent user. I had the wrenches checked for calibration and they were in spec.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

You are correct the previous rebuilder and YOU as well won't be able to fit a socket in there. Unless you file down the head of an old balance beam type that's about the only kind that would slip in there. Your best bet is used red MNs suggestion add a second wrench interlocked. Often I just use one wrench tighten them up then grab the 3 lbs hammer and smack the end of the wrench a couple times evenly in about the same pattern as tightening a tire so going back and forth to the other side of the tractor. Then usually just checking around a second time in a circle. It's not going to be perfect but it will be tight. There is a gasket in there that can fail I use aviation gasket maker on them with a new gasket when I have them apart and its wise to use blue locktite on the studs. Technically with one of the wobbly extensions where its not a u joint just he end of the extension is tapered snap on has and I'm sure are other places by now you might be able to put a torque wrench on it but it won't be terribly accurate if you move where the socket is in relation to the head. Better than nothing I guess since there's a torque range on any fastener you would probably be close enough adding an inch but those studs are not a terribly precise application to start with.

Its really 2 different responses I guess if you want to try the balance beam for what you are attempting to do that would be step one. For everything else you want to do in the future ive had good luck with click type Snap on, Craftsman, and actually harbor freights digital extension is what I use for big stuff on the 3/4 ratchet. it isn't very expensive and has worked great needs batteries from time to time but for the 60 bucks its a no brainer...the snap on 3/4 a previous employer had was over 1000. The only half inch and 3/4 ones ive had fail were off brand farm store ones and after about 10 years of use by dad so just about anything will work. heck dad has been known to get the tape measure out and then add the appropriate amount of weight to something then hit it with a hammer for that extra bit...thats how he did duals he had a bar that matched his weight.

 

[Rodney51Cub]

I have 2 Craftsman 1/2" drive 150 ft lb torque wrenches and a 250 ft lb torque wrench I bought from Autozone. All three have worked well.
For hard to reach nuts and bolts I use a torque adapter. I have 5/8, 11/16, and 3/4 adapters I purchased at my local Napa. They work well in some tight spots.

 

[Jim.ME]

One needs to remember to calculate the correct torque setting of the wrench needed when using such adapters.