what could go wrong ;)

[Lanse]

Well, I looked at torque wrenches online, and with most at $150, well, thats more then the mower is worth, and this head is a peice of metal about 6x6x1 and I could probally get another for, well, not much, and I am wondering, if I mess this up, is it possible to damage the block or anything but the head/gasket? Thanks

 

[ebbsspeed]

What kind of motor are you talking about?

 

[old]

First off a simple beam type torque wrench is the best you can get and any local auto parts store will have them and there less then $20 or where the last time I got one and I keep 2 of them on hand.
As far as what could go wrong if you torque that head wrong well you could strip the treads in the block, warp the head, mess up the gasket etc. etc.
Hobby farm

 

[Anonymous-0]

assuming its a lawn mower motor, you probably have 5/16 inch bolts holding the head on. if you dont have a torque wrench, use a short handle 3/8 rachet, that will limit the force you can apply some, then snug up all the bolts, tighten them in a criss cross pattern a little at a time, but dont overdo it, then start the motor , let it warm up, then shut off and recheck the bolts.

 

[Tim...OK]

Like old said,you can get one of the beam type,foreign made for about $10 at harbor freight..if it's not going to get much use it's the only way to go..I bought a really nice rachet type,close to $200 wrench,but no more than I use,it's hard to justify the cost..

Tim

 

[Iowa_tire_guy]

We hand torque lugnuts on cars and light trucks here at the shop. I buy parts store clickers for less than $20 and they last a year or so. They are good enough for lugbolts but for what you are doing I would buy a beam type. They just don't need to be calibrated.

 

[RAB]

If it is an aluminium head it probably should be allowed to cool completely before retorquing.
RAB

 

[Anonymous-0]

Here's a Craftsmen for $25 that will do the motor to do up to 75#.

Check the owner's manual on your New Holland for the torque specs on various maintenance items on that -- might want to spend $5 bucks more for the next heavier duty one that will do 150#.

The lighter one may be a bit more accurate for the engine head, but I'd personally still rather use the bigger torque wrench and be in the ballpark then guess and not be sure I'm playing the right game.
Craftsmen $25