***Harbor Freight Tool Review***In order to install the fancy-schmancy timing sprockets and chain I bought, you have to countersink the bolt holes and use some bevel-head allen screws instead of the OEM bolts on the retaining ring for the cam. Earl took care of that little countersinking task at the machine shop where he works.
Then, according to various manuals, those fasteners are to be torqued to somewhere around 10 ft/lbs. Research showed anywhere from 9 to 12 but 10 seemed like a reasonable number. (A video from Late Model Restorations said "120 ft/lbs"... I listened to it three times and then read the transcript. That's actually what he said. Can't be right!)
The Crane Cams brand roller rockers I got from John Hennessey along with the cylinder heads also use allen screws as hold-downs. They will need to be torqued down to spec of 18 to 20 ft/lbs.
Net result of all that is that I needed some hex bits that could attach to my torque wrench. Being a cheap bastige and because we were having a "Family Dinner Nite" at Olive Garden that is a block away from Harbor Freight, I went there for the tools. Had to buy a 3/8 drive set because the 1/2 inch size didn't have the small one I needed for the retainer screws.
After dinner I went out to the shop to torque that retainer in place. First thing, my torque wrench doesn't have a "10 ft/lb" setting, lowest number is 20. I found my trusty old beam type that I bought in the year 19-Mumble-Mumble and pressed it into service. On the second pull, before the needle had moved, the end broke off the hex bit I was using. "Snap!"
So, I fished out the broken off bit with a magnet, grabbed a plain ol' allen wrench and tightened the little buggers to what I thought was about 10 ft/lbs. And, before anybody asks: Yes, I put the retainer on RIGHT SIDE UP! Used loctite too!
The plan for this evening is to install the rocker arms, using the 1/4 inch hex bit and a torque wrench. Stay tuned... Either way, I'm taking that junk back to HF. It's just a matter of whether or not the 1/4 bit breaks too!
Peace, Love and "Snap!"-
JDK
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JD, father of
Quinn, Son of a...
Build LogQuinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special "Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom