Need help with cams installation

[darrens07gt]

I started installing my hot rod cams today and I have a question. I bought a torque wrench from harbor tools and freight which is good from 5-80 ft lbs of torque. Now I read in the installation guide that the bearing cap bolts need to be tightened to 89 inch pounds of torque.

That's just under 1 foot lb correct? Is there a special tool that I need in order to measure inch pounds? I didn't see anything at the hardware store. What should I do?

I'm at work right now so I can't look at my torque wrench to see if there is anything about inch pounds but when I looked online the tools description only mentions foot lbs.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[nyuk98GT]

darrens07gt:

12 inch-lb = 1 ft-lb. The conversion is just feet to inches (so even I can do it).

For your specific question, 89 in-lb = 89 in-lb / (12 in/ft) = 7.4 ft-lb

edit
You can buy an inch-pound torque wrench. I have an SK and it goes up to 250 in-lb (just over 20 ft-lb). Very handy and something you should have in your toolbox if you're not strapped for cash. The ft-lb wrench will work but it may not be too accurate at the low end.

I forgot to mention to go easy when torquing the cap bolts. Alternate from one side to the other on each cap and do all caps at the same time. You want to squeeze down on the camshaft equally along the length and side-to-side. Also, I would tighten the bolts in stages, say 2, then 5, then 7.4 ft-lb. Don't overtighten or tighten just one side because the cap can break and then the head has to come off to be line-honed.
end of edit

HTH,

Chris

 

[darrens07gt]

darrens07gt:

12 inch-lb = 1 ft-lb. The conversion is just feet to inches (so even I can do it).

For your specific question, 89 in-lb = 89 in-lb / (12 in/ft) = 7.4 ft-lb

HTH,

Chris

Sweet. Thanks!

 

[702GT]

darrens07gt:

12 inch-lb = 1 ft-lb. The conversion is just feet to inches (so even I can do it).

For your specific question, 89 in-lb = 89 in-lb / (12 in/ft) = 7.4 ft-lb

edit
You can buy an inch-pound torque wrench. I have an SK and it goes up to 250 in-lb (just over 20 ft-lb). Very handy and something you should have in your toolbox if you're not strapped for cash. The ft-lb wrench will work but it may not be too accurate at the low end.

I forgot to mention to go easy when torquing the cap bolts. Alternate from one side to the other on each cap and do all caps at the same time. You want to squeeze down on the camshaft equally along the length and side-to-side. Also, I would tighten the bolts in stages, say 2, then 5, then 7.4 ft-lb. Don't overtighten or tighten just one side because the cap can break and then the head has to come off to be line-honed.
end of edit

HTH,

Chris

Exactly what ^ he said.

If you look when Black Friday rolls around, Sears almost always has their torque wrenches for sale (and sometimes offer the same price during the year). I picked up a ft/lb and in/lb torque wrench for under $100 combined.

 

[Tbone]

Also, after torquing the caps down, i turned the engine so lobes were off the valves and retorqued. I made sure each cap was torqued with the least amount of pressure on each cap.

 

[07 Boss]

Also, after torquing the caps down, i turned the engine so lobes were off the valves and retorqued. I made sure each cap was torqued with the least amount of pressure on each cap.

There shouldn't be any pressure on the cams from the followers when you drop it in.

 

[05gtowner]

Go buy a proper inch pound TR. This is not a job where you want to guesstimate. Make sure you also return the caps to their original position on the head.