I am putting my valve cover back on and I know it is 31 inch-lbs but I only see foot-lbs on my torque wrench. I put it to the lowest setting first and i started to tighten and heard a pop. Check everything and no cracks. WTF.

 

31 inch-lbs = 2.5 ft-lbs.

Does your torque wrench go down to 2.5 ft-lbs (most ft-lb wrenches don't)?

Your probably over tightening it.

 

OMG I went way over. That pop must have been a crack but I do not see any cracks. What should I use then?

 

If no crack it should be fine. I know the manual says torque the valvecover, but I never have torqued the valve cover any car I have ever had. It has a gasket so it should be fine with moderate force behind the ratchet. Just dont go hercules on the ratchet.

 

Before retightening all the bolts, you should pull the valve cover back off and check for any bending and/or cracking. Make sure its good and flat to allow for a nice seal.

 

Your hands, it's not that critical that you need a torque wrench, just tighten it until it's tight, if u cannot feel out how tight it should be using a 1/4 drive socket wrench, you probably should have not done the install in the first place.

I would take the car to a mechanic and have him recheck your install and finish it........... If you made one small error = BOOM, you don't sound nearly competent to be doing a cam install if your asking a simple question like you did above.

TJ

 

Or you could just buy a torque wrench that has inch pounds and do it right for peice of mind.

 

I will just do it by feeling it. I cannot find a torque wrench that goes that low.