Anybody know what the correct torque is supposed to be on the bolts for the thermostat cover? My Haynes manual says 21 ft. lbs. , but that can't be it. As I was tightening with my torque wrench set to 21 ft. lbs. it just seemed like it was getting WAY too tight for those aluminum bolts, and then SNAP!

Fortunately it left me just enough stub to back it out with a pair of plyers. So all I need is a new bolt, and the CORRECT torque.

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

Yeah, the torque value for that is in error. I don't know what it really is, but seems like I saw it somewhere and it was under 10 lb ft. I have had it off enough to where I just snug them down.

 

Wow, this is kind of crazy, the service manual and chilton's say 21 ft lbs also. Sorry I couldn't help

 

im wondering if it is supposed to maybe in/lbs? or maybe reverse the numbers to 12ft/lbs. just a thought

 

Snug is a good torque rating concerning the stat.

 

your suppose to torque those things

 

21 ft/lbs according tho the Haynes book.

 

Just use a 1/4 ratchet for God's sake!

Just get it snug, you don't need to torque that thing down, just have it snug.

 

I think that was covered in the original post.

We know that to be in error in that manual and many others.

I knew I had seen it somewhere and found this in some Impala SS faq:

89 in lbs = snug

 

Shoebox,
Your humor isn't lost on me.

 

Front cover[of the water pump] at 33 ft lb seems high also... food for thought..

 

Thanks guys. According to the Haynes manual it is "based on a complete teardown and rebuild." I bet it fell apart when they were done...

 

I tighten everything without torque wrench except for cylinder heads. A little common sense is perfectly adequate for all but those critical components, I think.

 

nevermind...woops...

 

can you order those bolts online anywhere? I'm having no luck from dealership..