7.3 bottom IP bolt

At 90 degrees nothing changes.
If you can't access the nut at 90 degrees then use a calculator like this:

I socked the nut down another 1/2 turn and it felt like it snugged up more. Finally took the truck for a spin and boy howdy did that 5 degrees make a difference. It accelerates much faster right up to 3500rpm and seems to run cooler. Temp gauge didnt heat up as much and cooled down faster than it used to. Slight smoke on cold start up but none when driving, probably need to adjust the pump fuel screws a bit.

ISPKI said:

I socked the nut down another 1/2 turn and it felt like it snugged up more. Finally took the truck for a spin and boy howdy did that 5 degrees make a difference. It accelerates much faster right up to 3500rpm and seems to run cooler. Temp gauge didnt heat up as much and cooled down faster than it used to. Slight smoke on cold start up but none when driving, probably need to adjust the pump fuel screws a bit.

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Sweet.

Brian VT said:

At 90 degrees nothing changes.
If you can't access the nut at 90 degrees then use a calculator like this:

How to Use a Torque Wrench with a Crowfoot Wrench | TEKTON

Learn how to accurately use a torque wrench with a crowfoot wrench to measure torque. Use the included Torque Conversion Calculator.

www.tekton.com

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The people who do this have too much time on their hands.

A friend of mine was an auto. mechanic all his life.
I had him help me change the timing belt on my Pathfinder.
I asked if he needed me to get out my torque wrench.
He said that he only uses them on 2 things. Heads and wheel lug nuts.

That's me, lol.

gandalf said:

you simply snug it down, plus just a hair, and call it good.

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I used to call that 'Having a calibrated elbow'....

Jesus Freak said:

Is there a mathematical equation?

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I believe there is...but I never got a definitive answer from any older, more experienced mechanic that I ever asked...

ISPKI said:

to see what the recommended value was so I could guesstimate where I am with it.

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See number one above...

Jesus Freak said:

then go sit down and read a book or anything to let blood get back in your hand.

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Amen, Brother...

ISPKI said:

Yeah I have no clue how I would ever get a torque wrench on there.

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Reminds me of the time I felt I needed to tighten a clamp on the power steering hose on a 1990 T-bird SC and I had to use a three-foot combination of extensions and swivels to get a bite on it...

Jesus Freak said:

Just forget torquing the bottom bolt.

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If he is like me...it would be like a thorn in the brain...driving him mad....gotta get some kind of resolution out of it...

You guys are a great bunch of guys...thanks for the insight...

Brian VT said:

At 90 degrees nothing changes.
If you can't access the nut at 90 degrees then use a calculator like this:

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This has provided me with a definitive answer to a question I have had since 1979....and never got a decent answer to...no matter who in my orbit I asked...

I want to thank you very much for throwing that article up here...

Because of everyone on here...I have learned a ton of stuff...and I am grateful...

XOLATEM said:

This has provided me with a definitive answer to a question I have had since 1979....and never got a decent answer to...no matter who in my orbit I asked...

I want to thank you very much for throwing that article up here...

Because of everyone on here...I have learned a ton of stuff...and I am grateful...

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Sir, if you never learn anything else from this forum.......if you go from here tomorrow and decide to never return, please make sure you know this : diesel engines can't run on air.

Jesus Freak said:

Sir, if you never learn anything else from this forum.......if you go from here tomorrow and decide to never return, please make sure you know this : diesel engines can't run on air.

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And they are much more fun to drive when you have a good cupholder and don't have to chase your coffee out the passenger window.

James

Rdnck84_03 said:

And they are much more fun to drive when you have a good cupholder and don't have to chase your coffee out the passenger window.

James

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This is true, but the main thing is that they'll run on anything but air.

BUT they won't run without air...

There's a way to calculate the torque wrench setting when the centerline of the bolt isn't the centerline of the ratchet. Those calculators are available from a variety of sites online. My snap on tech angle torque wrench does it for me with it's "offset" feature.

How you would torque the bottom IP bolt exactly? I don't think a crowfoot will get it done, but a half moon wrench will, and then use a hex bit socket in the other end of the wrench. This is from ford itself, and the pic gives you an idea of the setup. It will also do the math for you if needed. https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...h_formula_halfmoon_en.asp?type=180degmoonleft

FYI, I don't do this in the shop. A push past snug on the half moon is good enough for me. Every fastener has a torque spec, you'll waste a lot of time torqueing every fastener you come across, tight truly is often times good enough.

Before I'm called a tool jūnkie, or criticized for owning them, you might be surprised where you'll all use a set of half moon wrenches. Top bolts on transfer cases for instance, or certain caliper bolts are a pain to reach as well......

Edit: apparently jūnkie with a normal u is a bad word.......

DaveBen said:

BUT they won't run without air...

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They are actually an Air Compressor.


Goat

Yeah the concern here is these bolts are extremely critical and if one loosens, it could potentially scrap the IP and cause some very expensive repairs. Compound that with it being darn difficult to reach the bolt with any regular wrench (seems like "half-moon" and "obstruction" wrench are the same style tool) and that my bottom IP bolt was loose, leads me to want to make sure it gets done right and tight, if at all possible.

Admittedly, I am also extremely thorough and cant leave well enough alone, likely picked that up from my pops and a career as an engineer. If I work a bolt that is critical, as in could cause major failure or strand me if it fails or loosens, I will make sure its torqued to whatever spec applies. Been in too many situations with buddies stuck on the side of the road because they didnt torque their stuff down right to want to put up with that now in my life.