Just like the subject, Please give me input on the types of torque wrenches you have used or have. Pros and Cons welcome! Thanks!

 

I have the 20$ click-type torque wrench from autozone. I think it's an AMC. The first one I bought didn't work (it didn't click), I went back and changed it with another one and it works ok. Used it for the 1.8 cam swap.

 

What kind of range are you looking for? I can most likely get you a good deal on a new snap on or matco torque wrench if needed

 

Mastercraft tools are ownage.

 

I am looking for one that i can use to do my cam swap. I have wanted one for a while. I guess the range would be 5 ft/lbs and up. I see a lot of them can go from 5 to 75 ft/lbs and then ones that go form 10 or 20 to 150 ft/lbs.

I would like the lower range one, seems alot more stuff needs the lower range. Eric, PM me and let me know what you can do. Always willing to buy from a member first.

 

To do your camshaft swap, you will need a 3/8 torque wrench that reads in/lbs. This is because you need to start at 3 ft/lbs, and work your way up to 11 in three steps, so do 36 in lbs, 72, then 132 for 11 ft/lbs.

If that is all you will be using it for, get a cheap craftsman click type for like 60 bucks. They don't hold up very well if used all the time, but for very infrequent use, they work fine.

A snap on or matco in that size will likely be over 100 easy, so for one or only a few time use, just get the cheaper craftsman imo.

 

I used to make a living with my tools, but my opinion isn't biased like most mechanics I know. I started out with a cheap Harbor Freight torque wrench that worked just fine for what I needed it for. Hell, I only did about 10 cylinder heads a year. As time went by, the old cheapy tool eventually gave up, but I was ready to move on to a more reliable brand. It served its purpose for a couple years at least. I now have an SK 3/8" dr inch-pound torque wrench, and a matco 1/2" dr. A good medium quality tool would be Craftsman, which will last the average person years. For doing the cam bearing bolts, do like tdonnell said and use a 250 in-lb 3/8" drive. To torque a cylinder head bolt, you'll need a higher range 1/2" one, probably from 50-250 ft-lbs, or a 0-150 ft-lb.

IMO, most people on this forum couldn't benefit from buying an extremely high quality torque wrench (anything from Snap-on, Matco, Mac, SK, Cornwell, etc) unless they have money to burn. A Craftsman at the highest, but a Pittsburgh brand from Harbor Freight Tools will work for you just fine (for your needs, at least)

 

Dont get one that has viewing lenses thruough the handle. they work well untill the handle twist and then its hard to line up and tell what ure torqing to.

 

^^^Another downside to the craftsmans. Get the little craftsman 3/8 in/lb wrench and you will be fine. It is a rule of thumb not to torque in the lower range of a torque wrench. That is why it is best to use the in/lb rather than on that starts at 10 ft/lbs.

 

Well since I use my tools everyday I have a heavy bias towards snap-on, matco, etc. I know many on here dont use their tools daily and for that I reccomend Craftsman. I have mostly Craftsman at home. But at work I have nothing but good tools. As Bullfrog said in a PM to me, I view my tools as an investment. I use them daily and need them to work. It really comes down to preference and how much you want to use it and how long you want it to last. I know my kids or grandkids will get one hell of a tool collection someday.