Sunday, January 26, 2014
How to Torque Exhaust Manifolds
Using a torque wrench to tighten bolts on exhaust manifolds allows for precise setting of the torque, or tightness of the fastener. Both loose and tight bolts can be dangerous, so you must follow the specifications for your car exactly or expect them to break.
Instructions
- 1
Have your torque specs handy. These can be found in the owners manual of your car or exhaust manifold. You may need to hunt around online or ask a mechanic if you are without a manual.
2Use high-grade bolts to fasten your parts. Manifolds play key roles in the exhaust system, so you dont want to skimp on quality. Choose at least a level 5 bolt for your car or motorcycle. The higher level means a better quality component to trust in your car.
3Install your exhaust manifold if it is not yet in your engine. Simply finger-tighten the bolts, starting first from the inside and working outwards. Tightening fasteners in the wrong sequence may damage your manifold.
4Check to make sure all the bolts are in place. Manifolds must have every bolt installed to avoid cracking. You cant skip a fastener in a car just because parts feel secure when you install them.
5Tighten the exhaust manifolds bolts using a torque wrench. Each bolt needs to be tightened according to the torque specs for your car. The torque wrench helps you tighten and loosen bolts to a set amount in pounds.
6Work in a spiral pattern from the middle section to the outer bolts, starting with the even bolts. The outer bolts usually have a smaller torque weight for adjustment. Make sure you adjust the torque wrench accordingly.
7Stop turning the bolt when you feel the wrench stop working. Avoid over-tightening, which can cause the bolts to break. Always fall within the proper torque range, which you should have set on your wrench.
8Visit a site like TorqueSpecs.com to check your torque specs after 2 weeks to make sure your bolts are tightened properly (see Resources below). This site has many common specs for various car parts. Whenever installing exhaust parts or systems, it is a good idea to check to see how the parts settled during use.
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