The Ford Barn

Russ/40 · 02-05-2018, 03:25 PM

A while ago a wrench was discussed to get at that pesky head bolt under the distributor. How many of you have the common Ford wrench that has one end for the plugs and the other end for the head nuts. I have several. I decided to make my own version of the reaching wrench to allow torquing the head nut, as well as allowing access to torque the head nuts or bolts under the oil filter on the early V8s. What better tool steel could be found? Pictured is a before and after of how I made my wrench. I did have to cut a 1/2" ratchet extension top off to add the 1/2" drive end of the tool. I used an end of a impact extension from HF. Some quick welding finished off the tool to attach the 1/2" drive end.

Purdy Swoft · 02-05-2018, 04:20 PM

I bought a new one from Brattons .

Synchro909 · 02-05-2018, 04:26 PM

I don't have one of those original tools, in fact very few over here do so I made one by cutting a socket (I think you guys call them a box wrench) in half and welding a piece between the two halves. Result: a tool to do the job and a 1/2" drive at the top so I can use the torque wrench.

quickchange · 02-05-2018, 06:11 PM

Arizona Model A have them , great idea , saves pulling the dissy ,

JDupuis · 02-05-2018, 06:27 PM

Russ, very clever, and well done! Around here those original wrenches usually sell for $5 if your lucky enough to sell it. Think I'll grab one of my spares and do the same as you.
Hope I won't infringe on any copyright you have for the design!

.
Thanks for posting this very handy hint. Jeff

denis4x4 · 02-05-2018, 07:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

A set of crows foot wrenches in 3/8” or 1/2” drive should be in all tool boxes

CarlG · 02-05-2018, 08:11 PM

I have a bunch of these (genuine Snap-On) if anyone is interested, send me a PM.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-06-2018, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

I have a bunch of these (genuine Snap-On) if anyone is interested, send me a PM.

Carl,
Did you ROB a Snap-On Truck?
I'd visit my Snap-On Friends' Home & he had BOXES & BOXES of USED tools, didn't know where he got them & didn't ASK!
Bill Equipped

BillLee/Chandler, TX · 02-06-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denis4x4

A set of crows foot wrenches in 3/8” or 1/2” drive should be in all tool boxes

Have you ever figured out how much a crow's foot changes the actual torque applied to the nut? Maybe not much, but they do make a difference.

denis4x4 · 02-06-2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillLee/Chandler, TX

Have you ever figured out how much a crow's foot changes the actual torque applied to the nut? Maybe not much, but they do make a difference.

At best, it's a minimal difference, especially if you use the crow's foot and the same torque values on all of the nuts.

Russ/40 · 02-06-2018, 02:03 PM

I forgot to mention the main reason why I decided to make my own tool. When torquing head fasteners, I prefer to use a 6 point socket.

Chris Haynes · 02-06-2018, 02:20 PM

I have found that this is the best tool for the job. With the others you can't use a torque wrench. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/he...e-tool-adapter

CarlG · 02-06-2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I have found that this is the best tool for the job. With the others you can't use a torque wrench. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/he...e-tool-adapter

The SnapOn tool uses a torque wrench.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-06-2018, 04:04 PM

ALL this for 1 head nut? You're NOT going to torque it 4 TIMES a day! With NO distributor cable clamp, it's a 5 MINUTE job.
Bill W.

Russ/40 · 02-06-2018, 05:45 PM

I am getting up there Bill, but I'm not yet ready to give up my flathead tinkering.

Chris Haynes · 02-07-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

The SnapOn tool uses a torque wrench.

I am sure it does. I'll also bet it is much more expensive.

CarlG · 02-07-2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I have found that this is the best tool for the job. With the others you can't use a torque wrench. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/he...e-tool-adapter

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

The SnapOn tool uses a torque wrench.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I am sure it does. I'll also bet it is much more expensive.

The point was: "With the others you can't use a torque wrench." is not a true statement.

As to the cost: you get what you pay for.

katy · 02-08-2018, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Have you ever figured out how much a crow's foot changes the actual torque applied to the nut? Maybe not much, but they do make a difference.

If the crow's foot is at a 90° to the wrench, the torque is the same as the wrench setting.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-08-2018, 05:28 PM

That nut can be EASILY "torqued" with a long OPEN END/BOX END wrench, with an " estimated" 55 Ft Lbs force. Example, it's easy to tighten lug nuts to 55 Ft Lbs, using the crank. THAT ONE HEAD NUT IS NOT A BIG DEAL!!!
Bill Commonsense

Russ/40 · 02-08-2018, 07:08 PM

Bill, no matter how long you beat that drum, the fact is, some people just like tools.

02-05-2018, 04:20 PM	#2
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Head nut under the distributor I bought a new one from Brattons .

02-05-2018, 04:26 PM	#3
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,044	Re: Head nut under the distributor I don't have one of those original tools, in fact very few over here do so I made one by cutting a socket (I think you guys call them a box wrench) in half and welding a piece between the two halves. Result: a tool to do the job and a 1/2" drive at the top so I can use the torque wrench. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

02-05-2018, 06:11 PM	#4
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,026	Re: Head nut under the distributor Arizona Model A have them , great idea , saves pulling the dissy ,

02-05-2018, 06:27 PM	#5
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: Head nut under the distributor Russ, very clever, and well done! Around here those original wrenches usually sell for $5 if your lucky enough to sell it. Think I'll grab one of my spares and do the same as you. Hope I won't infringe on any copyright you have for the design! . Thanks for posting this very handy hint. Jeff __________________ Let's let pylons, be pylons!

02-05-2018, 07:45 PM	#6
denis4x4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Durango CO Posts: 1,345	Re: Head nut under the distributor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A set of crows foot wrenches in 3/8” or 1/2” drive should be in all tool boxes __________________ No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck!

02-06-2018, 02:03 PM	#11
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Head nut under the distributor I forgot to mention the main reason why I decided to make my own tool. When torquing head fasteners, I prefer to use a 6 point socket.

02-06-2018, 02:20 PM	#12
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,962	Re: Head nut under the distributor I have found that this is the best tool for the job. With the others you can't use a torque wrench. http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/he...e-tool-adapter __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

02-06-2018, 04:04 PM	#14
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Head nut under the distributor ALL this for 1 head nut? You're NOT going to torque it 4 TIMES a day! With NO distributor cable clamp, it's a 5 MINUTE job. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-06-2018, 05:45 PM	#15
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Head nut under the distributor I am getting up there Bill, but I'm not yet ready to give up my flathead tinkering.

02-08-2018, 05:28 PM	#19
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Head nut under the distributor That nut can be EASILY "torqued" with a long OPEN END/BOX END wrench, with an " estimated" 55 Ft Lbs force. Example, it's easy to tighten lug nuts to 55 Ft Lbs, using the crank. THAT ONE HEAD NUT IS NOT A BIG DEAL!!! Bill Commonsense __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

02-08-2018, 07:08 PM	#20
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Head nut under the distributor Bill, no matter how long you beat that drum, the fact is, some people just like tools.