Torque wrench setting for carbs

[Vinnie]

Hi,

I'm going to put an Edelbrock phenolic carb spacer in (under a 1406) but I'm unsure of the amount of torque to put on the four bolts. Does it matter much? Should they be a certain ammount?

Thanks,

Vincent.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Forget the torque wrench idea. That's the guaranteed way to crack / warp the carb base flanges. Snug down the nuts - maybe 1/2 turn or so past contact point of nut with flange surface.

 

[Don C]

I've never used a torque wrench, either for carburetors. It's hard to explain, but you just develop a feel for tightening some things down, just snug, not too tight or too loose. Holley's specs call for 60 - 80 inch-pounds of dry (no lube on the threads) torque for the 5/16" studs. Tighten one down to half that value, then the opposite corner, then the remaining 2. Then finish tightening in the same sequence. With new gaskets and the plastic spacer I would retighten after the engine has warmed and cooled a couple of times.

 

[timachone]

On such things as carbs or valve covers or similar "light" things I never use a torque wrench - it is better to do it by hand and develop a feel to it. Chances are high otherwise you knock something of with a torque wrench...

It's all a matter of feeling :whistling:

 

[Vinnie]

Okidoki, I'll do it by feel then. I wasn't sure so thanks for your replies!

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

The ears on the carb are delicate-better to have to go back and snug it than to overdo it and crack one off.

 

[midlife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBJmoVSIYE