Torq spec
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Torq spec
You guys will have to cut me some slack because I recently purchased my first Ford truck (previously owned mostly rice-burning, low-to-the-ground sports cars you couldn't get under easily), and its been over 35 years since I worked in a garage as a teenager (back in the days when all cars got real lube jobs during service).
This may sound like a stupid question - but the other day someone told me that I need to be careful when I change my oil to make sure to torq spec the drain plug when I put it back in (there's no mention of this in the owner's manual - not even mention of changing your own oil in the manual). Is this true? In the old days, we just tightened the plug, then gave it one more slight umph for good measure.
Really, I would think that if a torq spec existed, it was only to keep some idiot from blowing out his gonads and over-torquing the plug.
Anyway, sorry to bother you guys with a stupid question. I kind of want to get back into the days when I worked on my car all the time (even changed my carbs and clutches in my old Maverick), but these new fangled ECU's and computer chips and the like have got me feeling like a real old man who knows nothing about cars.
This may sound like a stupid question - but the other day someone told me that I need to be careful when I change my oil to make sure to torq spec the drain plug when I put it back in (there's no mention of this in the owner's manual - not even mention of changing your own oil in the manual). Is this true? In the old days, we just tightened the plug, then gave it one more slight umph for good measure.
Really, I would think that if a torq spec existed, it was only to keep some idiot from blowing out his gonads and over-torquing the plug.
Anyway, sorry to bother you guys with a stupid question. I kind of want to get back into the days when I worked on my car all the time (even changed my carbs and clutches in my old Maverick), but these new fangled ECU's and computer chips and the like have got me feeling like a real old man who knows nothing about cars.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Torq spec
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 24-Apr-01 AT 10:12 PM (EST)[/font][p] Torq spec my can !
You just need to snug it down good!
Just not to good. You dont want to smash the plastic gasket
on the bolt or it can crack also you dont want to strip the
threads. JC
P.S. Happy Ford truckin
You just need to snug it down good!
Just not to good. You dont want to smash the plastic gasket
on the bolt or it can crack also you dont want to strip the
threads. JC
P.S. Happy Ford truckin
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 2
Torq spec
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Apr-01 AT 11:17 AM (EST)[/font][p]If you don't enjoy hot oil running down your arm anymore (like me), try this. http://www.fumotovalve.com
"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford trucks." (Willie Nelson)
"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford trucks." (Willie Nelson)
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Torq spec
I agree, it should be torqued to spec, but I have never done it and I don't know if the torque is in a shop manual, I assume it is. I just snug it up to where I feel comfy.
Of course I know far too many shade tree and professional mechanics who don't have "The Feel" for a properly snugged fastener. They usually go for the tighten it until it suddenly gets loose, then stop. This means they popped the fastener and eventually it will fail.
I have seen a guy who tightened his drain plug too tight on a riceburner truck and he actually wrinkled the oil pan drain hole. Never really did seal properly after that.
So yes torque to spec if you know what it is, or most of us have enough experience with our cars that at least with them we can handle the drain plug. There are other things that should/must be torqued to spec but I think with the drain plug we can get away with it as long as we have "The Feel".
Jim Henderson
Of course I know far too many shade tree and professional mechanics who don't have "The Feel" for a properly snugged fastener. They usually go for the tighten it until it suddenly gets loose, then stop. This means they popped the fastener and eventually it will fail.
I have seen a guy who tightened his drain plug too tight on a riceburner truck and he actually wrinkled the oil pan drain hole. Never really did seal properly after that.
So yes torque to spec if you know what it is, or most of us have enough experience with our cars that at least with them we can handle the drain plug. There are other things that should/must be torqued to spec but I think with the drain plug we can get away with it as long as we have "The Feel".
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Torq spec
I once had an oil change and the bonehead that did the work tightened the plug and filter so tight that I had to use a one foot long wrench to remove the plug and my arm was sore afterward. The filter was so tight my filter wrench just slipped. Finally got the filter off with a special Vise Grip tool that has a chain (like a bicycle chain) that I wrapped around it and clamped it down really tight. It's a wonder both weren't stripped. Needless to say, I went back to doing my own oil changes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
Torq spec
I love those Fumoto drain valves. I've got one on everything I own except the lawn mower and I've been looking at it.1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
400m/c6
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
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