Questions About Tools

[phiend]

I am looking to buy some more tools but wasn't sure on a few details.
I want to pick up a set of crows feet wrenches, but wasn't sure if open end or flared would be more useful? I'm guessing open ended would more useful, but since I've never used these, I'm not really sure.
I also would like to get a torque wrench. Would up to 150 ft/lbs cover the entire range needed for a CB7, or would something higher be required to never need another one?

[RJBleick]

I would buy open ended, they seem to get to things a bit easier in my opinion.

As for the torque wrench, 200ft/lbs will cover every thing on a cb7.
CB7 Torque Specs

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Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Balance Shaft Pulley Bolt 22 (30)
Belt Tensioner Adjuster Nut 33 (45)
Camshaft Pulley Bolt 28 (38)
Connecting Rod Nut 34 (47)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt 162 (220)
Cylinder Head Bolt
Stage 1 29 (40)
Stage 2 51 (70)
Stage 3 78 (108)
Drive Plate (Automatic Transaxle) 55 (75)
Exhaust Manifold Nut 23 (32)
Flywheel Bolt (Manual Transaxle) 77 (105)
Intake Manifold Nut 16 (22)
Main Bearing Cap Bolts/Bridge
Stage 1 22 (30)
Stage 2 55 (75)
Oil Pan Bolts 10 (14)
Oil Pan Drain Plug 33 (45)
Rocker Arm Adjuster Lock Nut 14 (20)
Rocker Arm Mounting Bolts
6-mm Bolt Tighten to 108 INCH lbs. (12 N.m).
8-mm Bolt 16 (22)
Application INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Oil Pump Cover Screw 62 (7)
Oil Pump Housing Bolts 80 (9)
Valve Cover Cap Nut 90 (10)
Water Pump Bolt 106 (12)

[jst_4_kiks]

make sure you get quality tools if you can afford them. dont get a torque wrench from vip or autozone, vip. they are not that accurate. try to get wrenches from snap-on because in my expirience the open ends dont spread under stress. a torque wrench from craftsman or whoever you choose will do the job. good luck in choosing the right tools for the job. KYLE

[stuck]

make sure you get quality tools if you can afford them. dont get a torque wrench from vip or autozone, vip. they are not that accurate. try to get wrenches from snap-on because in my expirience the open ends dont spread under stress. a torque wrench from craftsman or whoever you choose will do the job. good luck in choosing the right tools for the job. KYLE

Snap-On's are great if you can afford them and if you're going to be wrenching a lot, sometimes hard to find a dealer if you're not working in a shop though. Also Matco's or Mac's are in the same "pro-quality" league, maybe a bit below Snap-On, but still good. If you're not wrenching a lot a good Craftsman set would probably do the job, lifetime no questions asked warranty, and you don't have to track the truck down to get a new wrench when you break one--which can be a good thing when you break a ratchet or something late on a Saturday afternoon.

[phiend]

I wish I could justify spending the money on Snap On tools, but I simply don't use them often enough to make such a large investment. Craftsman gets the job done for less, has the lifetime warranty, and the convenience of several local locations.

[ExCoupe92]

I have both craftsman and snap-on tools. I have to tell you, you can really tell the difference in quality. I work part time in a garage and do quite a bit of wrenching at my house and if I had the funds, I would go all snap-on.

Always buy the best tools you can, no matter the cost. They will last you forever.

Of course it's nice when a tool breaks form craftsman you can hit the local Sears and trade it in, however, just like everything.. there are restrictions now. I guess you can only trade 3 tools per visit. Plus, how efficient is it when your car is completely disassembleded and something you need breaks.

Major suck.

[LowNknoxville]

Im all craftsman. Just because i cant afford snap-on. i want to get those open ended wrenches that ratchet and can bend right behind the handle. NICE. although im not a fan of the wrenches that twist. Theres my 2 cents. PEACE

[4CYLPOWER92]

I would buy open ended, they seem to get to things a bit easier in my opinion.

As for the torque wrench, 200ft/lbs will cover every thing on a cb7.
CB7 Torque Specs

You gottem all except the tightest bolt on the chassis, the wheel hub nut at an almighty 181 ft/lbs

[SamuraiSam]

For the weekend/hobbyist mechanic, I wouldn't buy many tools from Snap-On, Mac, or Matco. You can get good enoug quality from S&K and a few other brands. Craftsman makes great chromie sockets (non-impact), extensions, u-joints, breaker bars etc, and closed-end wrenches. They USED to make good torque wrenches and ratchets but you couldn't PAY me to use a modern plastic garbage Craftsman torque wrench. They have never made good open end wrenches but they work for most people. Hell, 90% of my open end wrenches are Craftsman and I used them every day when i worked as a flat-rate tech but they spread easily. The only Craftsman hand tool I will throw in the garbage upon gettting it in a kit, are Craftsman flare nut wrenches. I have made my life harder so many times rounding brake lines and turbocharger oil feed lines etc. with those POS line wrenches. I like Mac open end wrenches opposed to Snap On because they fit on four sides not just two. I have Mac flare nut wrenches, and they do not spread.

Find the "Good" parts store in your town. Probably a Parts Plus or a Napa. Whoever sell S&K. There is an excellent 3/8" wrench for about 60 bucks. If you really need the 200lb-ft the 1/2" is a bit more and goes to 300 some odd lb-ft if memory serves. Don't buy a Husky or Craftsman or other big-box store precision measuring tool.

Remember to spin down the torque wrench to zero EVERY time.

[ExCoupe92]

^^ you're supposed to leave a very low amount of pressure on, not just zero. And yes, SK make very good tools. I personally have both Snap-On and SK ratchets and they both have better qualities over the other.

For everyday working I normally would use my snap-on ratchet. I bought it a year and a half ago and it has held up perfectly.. although most craftsman last as well. I just don't like the feel of a craftsman tool.. although I do own several craftsman sockets and wrenches.

The SK ratchet has what I think is a smaller gear on the inside operating the "clicks." I love this ratchet because of the times I'm stuck in a situation where I can't use a wrench.. however the ratchet just needs that one extra click.. this ratchet has it.

To be honst with you buying tools is all preference. Trial and error if you will. Because you turn wrenches I'm going to assume you already know that you picked a very expensive hobby and shitty tools won't make things much more enjoyable. I would buy a plethora of new tools and just see whcih ones you like most.

I personally am not a mac guy.. some people love them. Good Luck.

[mj213]

I agree on snap-ons. I also agree S&K, Proto, even Craftsman


I have all Snap-On and Proto, with an old set (from my dad's first set from GM) of Craftsman box-end wrenches.

The best part about Craftsman is that you can take them down to Sears for replacements for free. I find broken Craftsman tools at flea markets and trade shows and exchange them for new ones at Sears.