![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:23 • Filed to: FML. | ![]() | ![]() |
It needs to be recalibrated every once and a while.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:25 |
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How far out was the wrench? Not just a torque sequence problem?
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:26 |
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I want more info on how you got roped into a head gasket job on a Mk1 Sprite. This could be the stuff of legend.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:26 |
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also remember if you have a CRT use it every now and then
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:29 |
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Not a sequence problem, there are a multiple bolts that are undertorqued. I’m having the heads rebuilt now... FML.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:30 |
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Good point. Is there a calibration tool, or what?
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:31 |
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AKA always unwind your torque wrench when you finish with it.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:34 |
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Lol, if only.
My Disco blew a head gasket so having just done the gasket job myself and it being the 4.6, I thought it was a liner so I took it to a place near me that specializes in British vehicles. The is the same place that had the 2b in it’s yard for a while, he also has a few E-Types in the yard. I could spend hours walking around it and it’s not even big.
He’s rebuilding the heads for me so I’m just having him do the gaskets at the same time. Sigh.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:38 |
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Borrowed it from my dad as I’m still building my tool set and it never crossed my mind to double check it. Live and learn I guess.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:39 |
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Please say you’re doing ARP studs and hacking the running temp.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:40 |
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I bought a cheap ass one like 10 years ago. It wouldnt fit in my toolbox so I had it cranked down all the way as short as it would get and it sat there for years. Needless to say I dont use it as a torque wrench any longer.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:47 |
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That’s the worst part, I did use ARP studs and I have the soft spring thermostat already in there. Truck idles around 180F, if I had just bothered to check the torque wrench was properly calibrated I would have been free and clear!
![]() 01/05/2017 at 11:56 |
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According to the book I have, RV8s actually reach peak efficiency at around 165F coolant temps. No, really.
Combine the absolutely garbage cooling system design with heat/shrink set liners and minimal cooling passages in the heads, and the “hurr hurr crank up temps because emashuns” guy ought to be shot. The tin gaskets and 14 bolts on the heads are old design and an honest mistake respectively, but that?
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:01 |
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Jesus, well seeing as it was originally idling around 210 (no seriously I thought the thermostat was broken when I saw that the first time) I felt it was a marked improvement. I agree the emashuns guy needs to be drawn and quartered... slowly.
It seems when I get the truck back I’ll need to do a few more tweeks to get the heat down further.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:05 |
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180F seems like it would be fine, as long as the whizzmatically arcane cooling system isn’t leaking. Hurr hurr plumb heater lines into lower hose hurr hurr radiator hose with a dip in it hurr. Since the cooling passages are so small, and the heads mostly rely on direct thermal transfer to the block, any leak is bad, bad, bad.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:06 |
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I don’t know about re-calibration, but you can test what you have against a beam-style wrench. They’re cheap and never lose calibration, as long as you don’t abuse them.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:30 |
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Tell me about it, heat are these engines worst enemy and it’s compounded by the nearly useless temp gauge in the cluster. “Hurrdurr I’m not gonna move until it’s too late”
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:31 |
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The exact conversation I had with him when Bloody texted me the image. Of course, my phone didn’t like the Swype of Sprite, but whatever.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:32 |
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Oh crap... there is one more thing to do next summer.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 12:32 |
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DAMMIT WHAT DID YOU DO
![]() 01/05/2017 at 13:00 |
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Oh come on, it only takes like 7 minutes to get the head off an A-series, this is parking lot stuff. You think Churchill used a torque wrench whilst fastening the cylinder heads on Merlins while taking fire in midair? I dare say not, old boy.
*reminded that my 3 wrenches have not been cal’d in 3 years, and have been used by others who don’t back them off...
![]() 01/05/2017 at 13:24 |
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Yup, this is why I’m not fixing mine. I know when I get in there more shit is gonna need replacing and when it’s all done I bet it’ll just leak again.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 13:30 |
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If it’s done correctly it won’t. Had I torqued down the nuts with the correct torque settings I wouldn’t have to have the heads rebuilt. So annoyed with myself.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 13:52 |
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I also have an old spring torque wrench so I probably would have had the same problem.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 15:15 |
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nah just tighten until it creaks or cracks and back off a 1/4 turn.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 16:27 |
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Digital ftw
![]() 01/05/2017 at 16:28 |
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DISCO, NO!!!!
Replace with cometic gaskets? Those composite ones are junk
![]() 01/05/2017 at 16:36 |
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Yep, they’re damn nice. I just never got around to dropping the cash on one before I came into the office going on 4 years ago. Bad decision, that was.
![]() 01/05/2017 at 16:40 |
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I’ll have to check and see what gaskets he uses, he said it will be better than factory when he’s done so it’s possible?
![]() 01/05/2017 at 22:03 |
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It’s unlikely. They’re a special order item and cost about $150 each IIRC, but totally worth it
![]() 01/06/2017 at 12:08 |
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I just wrapped up the head gasket job on my 92 RRC with the 3.9. I think if I found out it failed I would cry. That job kicked my ass. I didn’t burp the coolant properly and had the therm shut and the freeze plug blow out on the highway. 2 new freeze plugs later and we’re back in business.
ARP studs have torque specs of 100ftlbs! I thought for sure I was gonna crack a head just installing them.
![]() 01/06/2017 at 12:10 |
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I also used ARP studs in my head gasket job, I have to tell you I’m still very annoyed with myself today.
![]() 01/20/2017 at 01:51 |
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On stuff like head bolts where there’s usually lots of room and visibility, no reason not to use a beam style wrench (no recalibration necessary).