Lotus Marques believes in providing quality information to assist our valued customers in making informative decisions.
The calibration certificates shown below should be taken into account when deciding which operator is to rebuild an engine, a gearbox or restore a vehicle.
This same information is important when choosing a Lotus parts supplier who may manufacture drive-shaft or suspension components that require critical torque settings.
For many years, Lotus Marques has made an investment in routinely calibrating all torque wrenches.
With torque wrenches constantly in use within our workshop, this routine calibration procedure is necessary to ensure accurate results.
This checking procedure has detected worn torque wrenches which have subsequently been replaced after many years of service.
Installing fasteners
All fasteners have a recommended torque setting and this information can be usually found in the manufacturers workshop or service manual.
Alternatively there are standard torque tables published by most nut and bolt manufacturers.
Lubricating fasteners
Most fasteners require a lubricant applied to the threads so the correct torque setting can be achieved.
Some specialist fasteners may be supplied with a pre-coated dry lubricant so it is not necessary to apply oil or any other product.
Many high performance fasteners such as those manufactured by ARP are usually supplied with a molybdenum based lubricant.
NOTE - ARP con-rod bolts are best tightened by using the stretch method and checking by means of a stretch gauge (micrometer)
When rebuilding Lotus engines, be sure to use the specified engine oil (for example 20W50 mineral oil) for when engine was originally designed and built.
Using a modern day fully synthetic engine oil (which is a friction modifier) to lubricate engine fasteners on earlier Lotus engines will result in over-tightened fasteners!
In some applications, fasteners require locking compounds such as Loctite 243 and when applied to threads provide lubrication so the correct torque is achieved.
Tips when using a torque wrench
The calibration certificates shown below should be taken into account when deciding which operator is to rebuild an engine, a gearbox or restore a vehicle.
This same information is important when choosing a Lotus parts supplier who may manufacture drive-shaft or suspension components that require critical torque settings.
For many years, Lotus Marques has made an investment in routinely calibrating all torque wrenches.
With torque wrenches constantly in use within our workshop, this routine calibration procedure is necessary to ensure accurate results.
This checking procedure has detected worn torque wrenches which have subsequently been replaced after many years of service.
Installing fasteners
All fasteners have a recommended torque setting and this information can be usually found in the manufacturers workshop or service manual.
Alternatively there are standard torque tables published by most nut and bolt manufacturers.
Lubricating fasteners
Most fasteners require a lubricant applied to the threads so the correct torque setting can be achieved.
Some specialist fasteners may be supplied with a pre-coated dry lubricant so it is not necessary to apply oil or any other product.
Many high performance fasteners such as those manufactured by ARP are usually supplied with a molybdenum based lubricant.
NOTE - ARP con-rod bolts are best tightened by using the stretch method and checking by means of a stretch gauge (micrometer)
When rebuilding Lotus engines, be sure to use the specified engine oil (for example 20W50 mineral oil) for when engine was originally designed and built.
Using a modern day fully synthetic engine oil (which is a friction modifier) to lubricate engine fasteners on earlier Lotus engines will result in over-tightened fasteners!
In some applications, fasteners require locking compounds such as Loctite 243 and when applied to threads provide lubrication so the correct torque is achieved.
Tips when using a torque wrench
- Always thoroughly clean all fasteners in solvent and inspect all threads before use.
- Never use a torque wrench on a nut already tightened with a conventional wrench.
For a accurate torque wrench reading the final turn of the nut must be tightened with the torque wrench. - Use your torque wrench for tightening only and never use it to undo any type of fastener.
If using a dial type torque wrench be sure the dial and pointer are set correctly before applying torque. - Always reset your torque wrench by taking the tension off the adjustment mechanism before placing into storage
- Carefully store any torque wrench in a clean dry cupboard and not in the bottom of a tool box - don't forget this is precision instrument!
For more information regarding torque wrenches, their design and application see the following link
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