Sometimes you have o build your own tools

[brittf]

I have a horrible oil leak on my Factory Five Racing Cobra. I think it's a result of not correctly tightening the bolts when I re-installed the oil pan. The bolts are tightened in two passes. First they are tighten to a specified torque and then turned an additional angle. What confounds the problem is that the oil pan has "wings" so you cannot get a torque wrench on the bolts. That is, not without a torque extender. (I did not know the name of this tool until I searched for it on the Internet.)

I found torque extenders. Unfortunately, they were all two inches in length, which was not long enough for my situation; I needed one three inches in length. So I set out to fabricate my own.

I started with a 12mm combination wrench, 3/8" ratchet to 1/4" socket adaptor and a length of 3/8" by 3/4" mild steel bar.


I cut the box end from the combination wrench. The outside diameter of the box end was 3/4" so I drilled a 3/4" hole in the bar stock with a hole saw.


I clamped it together on my welding table


and TIG welded the box end to the steel bar.


I measured off three inches and drilled a 11/16" diameter for the socket adaptor and clamped the setup to my welding bench


and TiG welded it in place.


I plug welded it on the back side.


I then cut it free from the bar stock using my Jet horizontal bandsaw.


Here's the finished product.


I'm not too happy with my welds. There is porosity. I think it's a result of not adequately removing the chrome plating.

Thank you for viewing


Britt

 

[fury9]

Whatever's clever! Nice tools

 

[kazlx]

Fwiw, to remove chrome, you can just soak in some muriatic acid for a few minutes. Then neutralize with baking soda.

 

[Balor]

Are you going to us the new adaptor at 90 degrees or straight on your torque wrench? The 90 degrees is the same torque as applied to the torque wrench, if it is straight then you need to use ( L x T) / ( L + E ) too have the correct torque. rngr1

 

[Toolhorder]

Nobody MIG welds anymore

 

[joe49]

I cut sockets in 1/2 to make those.

 

[Kielbasavw]

I cut sockets in 1/2 to make those.

I was just thinking that, cheaper and only cut up one tool

 

[brittf]

Re: Sometimes you have to build your own tools

Fwiw, to remove chrome, you can just soak in some muriatic acid for a few minutes. Then neutralize with baking soda.

I'll have to remember that tip. I've used muriatic acid in the past to remove plating from nuts before I welded them to steel plates to attached casters to various projects. I never thought that it would remove chrome. I've always just rinsed the muriatic acid real well using tap water.

Are you going to us the new adaptor at 90 degrees or straight on your torque wrench? The 90 degrees is the same torque as applied to the torque wrench, if it is straight then you need to use ( L x T) / ( L + E ) too have the correct torque. rngr1

From my engineering background I was aware of needing to modify the torque setting depending on the effective length of the torque extender. I ran across the formulas when I was searching the Internet. I think my SnapOn torque wrench allows me to input the effective length of the torque extender and it makes the adjustment automatically for me. I will be finding out shortly.

I cut sockets in 1/2 to make those.

I did not think of this approach. It makes perfect sense. I will use that trick the next time.

Thank you for your comments and feedback.


Britt

 

[vintagespeed1956]

...First they are tighten to a specified torque and then turned an additional angle....I needed one three inches in length...

that's a cool tool, just be sure to account for the 3" long lever by reducing your torque AND ANGLE accordingly.

otherwise you'll shear those pan bolts and then you're really gonna have a leak!

 

[nine4gmc]

 

[EdT]

I'm gonna guess that the angle remains the same regardless of the length of the wrench.