Need to torque down my intake. Don't have a reliable torque wrench. Ended up overtorquing my rear oil pan threads (same style bolts & threads). Concerned about this. Can I just snug these bolts down and if need be snug a little more? The digital torque wrenches are expensive, but nice. The engine is a remanufactured and I hope the threads in those holes were properly threaded. Any help with this?

 

You'll want to put some decent torque to the intake. You can snug them up, and then more if need be. I didn't torque mine down enough in the back when I did my head/cam swap. When I started the truck she jumped to and stayed at 3k. Shut it off, made sure I hadn't missed a bolt, then started turning them 1/4 turn each. Granted this is far from ideal, and you can cause damage. If you're worried about it, I'd probably just spend the extra money on a decent torque wrench, it's cheaper than a new manifold, and a whole lot easier than trying to repair the threads.

 

IIRC the torque spec on the intake manifold is only 89 in-lbs. It's not very much. If you're going to be working on your truck, it definitely pays to have the proper tools. Have you checked with AutoZone or any of the other parts stores to see if they have torque wrenches in their tool rental programs?

 

Here's a link to all of the LS1 engine family torque specs

LS1Howto.com

 

When I torqued down those bolts at the rear of the oil pan, I was using a sears spring type torque wrench. The threads were stripped at 4 lbs and was suppose to go like 7 lbs. I calculated this because those bolts are at inch pounds, I believe 102 inch pounds.

 

After you torqued them down 1/4 turn, was it ok? The idle should be around 750?

 

I called up S & P, they told me that I can snug them down without using a torque wrench. Its only 89 inch pounds, so snugging them should be ok.

 

anything that has rubber gaskets dont require a whole lot of torque. once you feel resistance a couple 1/4 turns is all she needs. the amount of effort needed to break it lose is the same effort you need to put in..for future reference

 

Thanks for the good advice. I really appreciate it.