My small but growing tappet wrench collection

Rileysan · Feb 25, 2016

Taking a page from BlueBomber, who started one of my favorite threads on double box-end wrenches, I'd like to start a thread on "tappet" wrenches.

Wikipedia defines a tappet wrench as:

A spanner of small to moderate size constructed similarly to an open ended wrench, but with a thinner cross section. Its purpose is to apply torque to the fasteners found on the valve trains of older engines, especially automobile engines, where the valve train required adjustment of the tappets (also known as lifters). Tappets, push rods, rocker arms and similar adjustable pieces are often equipped with locknuts which are thinner than standard nuts, due to space limitations. Frequently, the hex section of the adjustment is contiguous to the lock nut, thus requiring a thinner "tappet wrench" to be used.

I've been a gear-head my whole life, and originally discovered the need for a thinner wrench at the age of 10 when trying to tighten the hub of a bicycle wheel while it was still mounted to the bike. I bought my first set of Craftsman tappet wrenches back in the late 80s. Now I buy any used tappet I see.

Pic 1: The tappet wrench collection
Pic 2: Vintage Craftsman "No. 2" 1/2 x 9/16 (x2), Craftsman set of 4 (bought new), Bonney
Pic 3: Vlchek (x4), Plomb, Herbrand
Pic 4: Bonney (broken), Duro X (Indestro), Fleet

Brian

LandofRath · Feb 25, 2016

Interesting the tappet wrenches for my bike are way different.

Roberts210 · Feb 25, 2016

Got this on the local CL a few years ago. The square drive is for a socket. It makes adjusting the valve SO much easier.

jabberwoki · Feb 25, 2016

Got any P&C?

Rileysan · Feb 25, 2016

jabberwoki said:
Got any P&C?

Not yet!

Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

MShaw · Feb 27, 2016

My offering. A pair of Snap on 1/2" - 9/16" tappet wrenches from 1956.

New Britain / Blackhawk wrenches from 1972ish.

7/16 - 1/2, 1/2 - 9/16, (2) 9/16 - 5/8, 5/8 - 11/16, 3/4 - 7/8

Rileysan · Feb 28, 2016

Roberts210 said:
Got this on the local CL a few years ago. The square drive is for a socket. It makes adjusting the valve SO much easier.

I had to do a double-take on that wrench. Very kewl - I'll have to keep an eye out for one!

Roberts210 · Feb 28, 2016

It works great. No more trying to hold a wrench steady while twisting a screwdriver at the same time.

toolaholic · Feb 28, 2016

I have a craftsman sae set and facom metric set. Used the 11/16 craftsman on rear band adjustment nut on torque flite transmission on 99 dAkota r/t. Used the 17mm facom on Yaris front brakes and the 18mm on Yaris moog sway bar links. They are used and come in handy.

toolaholic · Feb 28, 2016

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[/URL] proto facom metric double end set

toolaholic · Feb 28, 2016

Sorry I didn't pay attention enough. My tappers are modern. Oh well I learned how to cut and paste from big phone 6 plus

Rileysan · Feb 29, 2016

MShaw said:
My offering. A pair of Snap on 1/2" - 9/16" tappet wrenches from 1956.

New Britain / Blackhawk wrenches from 1972ish.

7/16 - 1/2, 1/2 - 9/16, (2) 9/16 - 5/8, 5/8 - 11/16, 3/4 - 7/8

Great set!

Brian

twertsy · Mar 19, 2016

Pic 1: Herbrand and New Britain
Pic 2: Vlchek and Blue Point
Pic 3: Plomb and Proto
Pic 4: Bonney

BlueBomber · Mar 19, 2016

Nice new thread, Riley! I don't think I actually own any tappet wrenches....which means I might get a case of "Thanks, Garage Journal, I didn't didn't know I needed that."

jabberwoki · Mar 20, 2016

Pm me with your addy if I`ve got some spares I`ll send them to you.

Outlawmws · Mar 20, 2016

Well, this should be a good thread, and I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow (Doing my taxes so...)

BlueBomber said:
Nice new thread, Riley! I don't think I actually own any tappet wrenches....which means I might get a case of "Thanks, Garage Journal, I didn't didn't know I needed that."

another reason to come out of retirement! :evil:

Richard Cranium · Mar 20, 2016

Robert210, I had two of them and gave them to two different G.J. members, Only one of them paid me for the postage. That is all I was asking for them. Oh well, In the scheme of life it really doesn't matter.

egnorant · Mar 20, 2016

I found this one at an Estate sale last week!

Zim Mfg. in Chicago and only a buck...could not resist!

Bruce

jayrush13 · Mar 20, 2016

Here are my offerings mostly craftsman with a p&c and a couple no names mixed in. Also I know they aren't technically tappet wrenches but here are some plomb and bonney water pump wrenches just to spice it up

My small but growing tappet wrench collection

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