Torque wrench for hose fittings?

[JASinIL2006]

The Mercruiser manual stipulates certain torque settings for things like the hydraulic hose connections on the trim pump. I have a torque wrench with a standard 3/8" drive, but I cannot find locally any open-ended wrench adapters for that kind of torque wrench. I did find open-ended adapters for torque wrenches online, but they are ridiculously expensive.

Do you all actually use torque wrenches for connecting those sorts of fittings (i.e., fittings on which you can't get a socket)? I've got help coming in from out of town tomorrow to reinstall my boat engine and I don't have time (or the funds, really) to order new tools.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Don S]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

If you have a calibrated elbow like mine, a torque wrench isn't needed. They put the specs in there for people that have one specs for tightening things like the hulks that break bolts and strip out everything they put a wrench to.

I do use a torque wrench for critical things, like head bolts, rod and main bearing caps, Vortec intakes, etc.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

I doubt I have an elbow with anything near your calibrative abilities D) , but I generally don't strip out bolts and fittings when I work, either. I was mainly concerned that I might not get them tight enough...

 

[PatrickBoyle]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

What you're looking for are a set of 3/8" crowfoot wrenches. They're available just about anywhere that sells tools. Just remember to account for the additional length from the center of the fastener when setting torque.

That being said, Don is right. You don't need to torque them. Use the German principal "goodentight"

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

Yup, I use calibrated elbow technique as well along with a flare nut wrench. I'm not sure how good a torque wrench with an open end adaptor will be . . . Rather go with the goodness of fit with the flare nut wrench.

 

[gm280]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

Maybe you could try this to help with those torque settings. Take a standard torque wrench and tighten a bolt/nut to the setting they specify and then take a combination wrench (or open ended wrench) and try to loosen that same bolt/nut you just tightened to the correct torque to give you an idea how much force it would take to set the correct tightening. Not 100% fool-proof but it could give you an idea as to how tight to make the connections... I've actually done that before... Or even tighten a bolt/nut with an open end wrench and then see how much torque it takes to either loosen it or make it tighter to see how many ft/lbs you are cranking the open end wrench to... Stupid ideas, but it does work pretty close...surprisingly!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Torque wrench for hose fittings?

Get the crowfoots (feet?) and use this: Torque Wrench Adapter Calculator - CNCexpo.com Doncha just LOVE the internet LOL.