Compact 3/8" torque wrench for Subaru EJ 25 spark plugs?

[Beerhippie]

I need a cheap, 3/8" or even 1/4" drive, compact click torque wrench for my spark plugs. The EJ 25 is in a Vanagon, so has more clearance, but it still ain't much. Cheap because this is the only need I have for it.

In the past, I've always been fine with the old rule of "finger tight plus one turn", but apparently, that doesn't apply to Denso plugs. I've been having problems with just slightly loose plugs letting enough gas by to push the plug plug out of the valve cover wells.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Harbor Freight 1/4" $17.99 doesn't get cheaper than that. Looks like the torque spec for ej25 plugs is around 15 ft lbs which is 180 in lbs.

 

[jayemm]

Call me chicken but cheap (depending on definition), barely accessible spark plug, and aluminum head don't go together in my book. Is it possible to borrow a suitable higher quality one from someone since it's one time use. For a keeper, the lowest I'd go for something modestly priced would be a Tekton in-lb TW. No matter other people's experiences with them, when it comes to torque wrenches I don't even consider HF's cheaper offerings.

 

[ecotec]

Call me chicken but cheap (depending on definition), barely accessible spark plug, and aluminum head don't go together in my book. Is it possible to borrow a suitable higher quality one from someone since it's one time use. For a keeper, the lowest I'd go for something modestly priced would be a Tekton in-lb TW. No matter other people's experiences with them, when it comes to torque wrenches I don't even consider HF's cheaper offerings.

Before I had Precision Instruments split beam torque wrenches in 3/8” and 1/2” I had HF click torque wrenches. They worked great for years. I still have them somewhere. I still use a HF 1/4” click torque wrench.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks, all.

I'll look into the HF and Tekton. This isn't a one-time use, but more of an annual use. Inch-pound might be nice for working on guns, too.

 

[nicks78camaro]

The thing with going 3/8" is that torque value is at the minimum or below the range of most 3/8" torque wrenches. Most are 20-100 ft lbs but a few are 5-75. Depends what else you want to use it for.

 

[ebj]

I use this Icon inch lb with 3/8" drive torque wrench for small engine work. It's the size of a 1/4" drive. It's held up well for the last 4 years of use.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-40-to-200-in-lb-professional-compact-click-torque-wrench-56614.html

 

[richfinn]

I have a NORBAR torque wrench in 3/8" drive in the range of 5-25nm (they have been very reliable).

It might also be worth looking at bicycle tool manufacturers like Park Tools.

Ko-ken make specific non adjustable spark plug torque wrenches in 3/8" drive (I'm sure Snap-On made them too at one point)

Trouble with 1/4" is you will need an adapter which might be tricky.

 

[Vinny]

Just posting to say that Subaru conversions of VWs are one of my favorite car mods.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Harbor Freight 1/4" $17.99 doesn't get cheaper than that. Looks like the torque spec for ej25 plugs is around 15 ft lbs which is 180 in lbs.

....especially if the OP stated that it's only going to be used as a one time annual thing.

I have 2 of the Koken 3/8 torque wrenches specifically designed for spark plugs.....work flawlessly.

 

[Beerhippie]

Just posting to say that Subaru conversions of VWs are one of my favorite car mods.

Me too!

 

[Beerhippie]

Harbor Freight 1/4" $17.99 doesn't get cheaper than that. Looks like the torque spec for ej25 plugs is around 15 ft lbs which is 180 in lbs.

Is that this one?

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-drive-20-to-200-in-lb-click-torque-wrench-63881.html

I'm thinking that would be just the ticket for my annual plug change.

Nope. It's almost twice the length of the ratchet I can just get into #4 plug.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I need a cheap, 3/8" or even 1/4" drive, compact click torque wrench for my spark plugs.

Hey you did say "cheap" and for that price....THAT IS probably the cheapest "brand new" torque wrench that you're going to find and pay for......anything cheaper than that is if someone gave you one...(and it would more than likely not be brand new though...or maybe a present, etc. )

 

[Beerhippie]

Oh well. I went ahead and pushed the button on the HF 1/4" in-lb wrench. I can deal with the very slight extension of a 1/4-3/8 plug and just have to be creative to fit it in there.

I can test it against a buddy's gunsmithing torque driver that's in the same range. I have a 3/8" 8-pt socket in 1/4" drive.

This is for changing plugs annually on two rigs. If I were changing plugs every day and getting paid for it, the Koken pre-set would probably be my choice.

 

[Steve_P]

....especially if the OP stated that it's only going to be used as a one time annual thing.

I have 2 of the Koken 3/8 torque wrenches specifically designed for spark plugs.....work flawlessly.

I know that OP has a transplant into a VW, but there's no way that's going to fit on an Outback, or similar, with that giant knob sticking out- that looks like straight out of the 1970s.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Has anyone tried swapping a 3/8 drive anvil into the 1/4 torque wrench body? Is that a viable thing for a torque wrench?