Humorous Intro: I once asked the engineers at work why they didn't wear
cool striped hats and they just looked at me funny.

Point:  I recently decided to re-torque the heads on my 1600.  It was out
of the bus for other reasons.  All went well until the last.  With a loud
snap, the case insert pulled out.  Small disaster that hastened the
completion of a 1776 motor that was supposed to be a "take your time, do it
right" project.

Lesson:  Should've had the damn wrench calibrated.  Griot's Garage will do
it for $25.00 (call 800-345-5789).  I will also check Yellow Pages for
testing lab.

Poignant Outro:  That is my tale of woe.  Had I but heeded the mechanical
muses when they advised "too tight, too tight" I would be a happy man
today.  The 1600 would be performing it's daily chores and the 1776 would
still be on the bench awaiting proper carbeuration.

Charles "Luke" Lukey
Seattle, WA
----------
> From: Darrell Boehler <midwesty@TAOS.MIDWEST.NET>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: question for an engineer
> Date: Friday, July 03, 1998 8:45 AM
>
> ----------------------
>     I'm a retired computer technician  not an engineer or Dr. either ,
but
> have used torque wrenches quite a lot  in computer rooms.  IBM  my
company
> used the ratcheting clutch type and had them calibrated annually .  These
> wrenches need TLC to maintain their accuracy. In my home shop , shed in
the
> timber,   I prefer the older style with the pointer . I have a 1/2 drive
and
> a 3/8 inch drive  and feel when used with care they give me all the
accuracy
> I need for my van .  If speed is important the clutch type are far better
> tools.  The important thing to consider is the clutch style need to be
well
> cared for  and  calibrated on a regular basis.
>
> Darrell Boehler
> Makanda Illinois
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: J. Andersen <janetda@CRIS.COM>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Friday, July 03, 1998 8:13 AM
> Subject: Re: question for an engineer
>
>
> >I am not an engineer but I've ridden on a train once. It is my
> >understanding that one of the functions of a torque wrench is to ensure
> >that all the bolts have the same tension  on them.  If your wrench is
> >off its calibration it should still be useful as long as you do all the
> >bolts the same each time you use it.
> >        DrRufo
> >        SOCal-81 vanagon
> >