who knows that aluminum is a very soft metal? i certainly do now...cracked the support around a bolt putting my timing cover on. damn torque wrench didn't click at the specified torque (TA's site says 29, i only had it on 25), so i overtightened. noticed it felt like i had hit 25, but i kept going a little bit more to see if the torque wrench was gonna give. crack. now i've got a little piece missing on the bottom left of the cover. luckily i think i can repair it with some jb weld since it is fairly minor, and the bolt at that position is not particularly stressed. but argh, it makes me mad. one little torque wrench is going to be taking up residence in the woods. this woulda been the last part of my motor, too. drop it in the car and put the valve covers and carb on and i'd be running again.
David, I can relate to that story.I tried to remove the oil pump housing for my 350 and had a problem getting the bolts loose.I soaked the bolts for a week and tried to loosen them up.They all came out except the last one!It decided to be a pain and the head snapped off.:af:The problem is that the bolt is still in the housing and it is so corroded that the housing wont slip off the boltbut its loose enough to turn freely.In my opinion,sometimes aluminum stinks!:moonu: PAT :TU:
torque wrenches over time or misuse, torque wrenches lose their proper settings . the torque wrench is supposed to be tested & recalibrated , on a regular basis , so that the settings will be correct .
also leaving a torqe wrench at a setting can ruin calibration, it should always be loosened when not in use. That is the one thing I don't like about the buick 350, that stupid aluminum timing cover. It wouldn't be so bad if the price for a new one was a little cheaper....
