How to torque engine parts under 10 lbs?

[Lzybmbjj30]

I'm putting certain parts on my engine back together but some of them such as the valve cover require torques as low as 4 lbs. How do I measure that as there aren't any torque wrenches I can find that go that low?

 

[jcy110]

You need to do it in inch/pounds with the inch/pounds torque wrench.

12 inch pounds = 1 foot/pound

http://www.kylesconverter.com/torque/inch--pounds-force-to-foot--pounds-force

 

[mendonsy]

My cheap Harbor Freight 1/4" drive torque wrench adjusts all the way to zero, but realistically the lower limit is about 12 in/lb or 1 ft/lb.

 

[Creature Meadow]

As said above use a inch pound torque wrench, if yo uwere closer I could loan you one.

I have a boat load of them as I do calibration for a living.

Typical use range for peak performance is 10% to 90% of scale, much outside those parameters and you begin to sacrifice accuracy.

 

[D2Cat]

If you're doing a valve cover and you have no torque wrench, tighten the nut to where it just has slight friction, then turn your ratchet about 45deg. That torque is not critical, it just keeps oil from passing the gasket.

 

[Daren Todd]

On valve cover bolts, I use a 1/4" ratchet and use my thumb to steady the ratchet and pinky to turn it. When pinky starts to hurt, your pretty good I use the same technique with water pump bolts on aluminum crank case covers since anything over 10 ft/pounds causes them to strip out

 

[bxray]

If you have a fish weight scale just put it out 1 foot from axis and pull to 4lb.

 

[Thorny]

Sears sells a 3/8" torque wrench that goes down around 5 ft/lb. I use it for motorcycle work and lots of the bolts are 6-10 n/m.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Do the math and use inch lbs. i do it all the time. Chevy vortec= 11 foot lb,132 inch lb