you don't really need all the bolts on the oil pan, do you?

Maria Winslow · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:14 pm

Michael and I have almost finished replacing the oil pan on his 93 Subaru Legacy. I over-torqued one bolt and broke it (due to a misreading of the torque specs). It's one of the nearly-impossible-to-get-to ones in the back, so the outlook is bleak. So....

1. How do I even set my torque wrench for 4.2 INCH pounds? Isn't hand-tight good enough?

2. I don't really need that bolt, do I? I have about 11 more...

Thanks!
Maria

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:27 pm

The spec on those bolts are around 4 foot lbs. (3.7 for the new WRXs...similar I'm sure for the older Legacy). Where did you read 4.2 in pounds?

What I would do is torque the rest of them properly and fill her up with oil and let it run for a bit to see if it leaks. If not, then just be vigilant about checking up on it.

Did you use some high temp rtv on the gasket?

Maria Winslow · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:52 pm

JamesShort wrote:

The spec on those bolts are around 4 foot lbs. (3.7 for the new WRXs...similar I'm sure for the older Legacy). Where did you read 4.2 in pounds?

What I would do is torque the rest of them properly and fill her up with oil and let it run for a bit to see if it leaks. If not, then just be vigilant about check up on it.

Did you use some high temp rtv on the gasket?

I meant 42 inch pounds. Yes, high temp goo on the gasket. Thanks for the advice.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:55 pm

Maria Winslow wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

The spec on those bolts are around 4 foot lbs. (3.7 for the new WRXs...similar I'm sure for the older Legacy). Where did you read 4.2 in pounds?

What I would do is torque the rest of them properly and fill her up with oil and let it run for a bit to see if it leaks. If not, then just be vigilant about check up on it.

Did you use some high temp rtv on the gasket?

I meant 42 inch pounds. Yes, high temp goo on the gasket. Thanks for the advice.

ok, that is equivalent to 3.5 ft lbs. Unless you have a in lb torque wrench, your's probably doesn't go that low. I have a 20-220 in lb you can borrow if you want.

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:57 pm

make sure that goo sits for a white before you start the car up.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:07 pm

KouroshNeshat wrote:

make sure that goo sits for a white before you start the car up.

Good point, RTV needs to cure cold for a while before starting it up...sorry.

WalterHouston · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:17 pm

Ask Ryan Holton. He leave bolts out all the time. He will probably say,"It really isn't all that bad."

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:23 pm

WalterHouston wrote:

Ask Ryan Holton. He leave bolts out all the time. He will probably say,"It really isn't all that bad."

How long did that CRX engine last?

Maria Winslow · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:32 pm

JamesShort wrote:

ok, that is equivalent to 3.5 ft lbs. Unless you have a in lb torque wrench, your's probably doesn't go that low. I have a 20-220 in lb you can borrow if you want.

That would be great - thanks. Maybe I could pick it up tomorrow?

Kevin Hoff · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:38 am

I hope you used the fancy Subaru gray RTV - it's really extra good RTV, nothing like what you get at AutoZone.

(I didn't torque these when rebuilding my RS motor - just snug with my hand over the end of the wrench. The RTV just needs an even smooth pressure to bond well.)

--Kevin H.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 12:41 am

Maria Winslow wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

ok, that is equivalent to 3.5 ft lbs. Unless you have a in lb torque wrench, your's probably doesn't go that low. I have a 20-220 in lb you can borrow if you want.

That would be great - thanks. Maybe I could pick it up tomorrow?

Harbor Freight carries these too.... cheap.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:44 am

There are products called something like "spreaders" which are used on old style metal valve covers that are used to "spread" the clamping force from one bolt to the area roughly halfway to the next bolt. Should be able to find them in a typical parts store. They are shaped to act more like a spring than just a flat piece of steel. Also, I've seen some pans where there is an "extra" piece of steel that bridges several pan bolts. If there is room something shaped more like an angle iron would reist bending better than just flat steel.

Maria Winslow · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:49 am

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

Harbor Freight carries these too.... cheap.

This little project is a testament to the fact a lot of cheap adds up to expensive

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:00 am

Maria Winslow wrote:

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

Harbor Freight carries these too.... cheap.

This little project is a testament to the fact a lot of cheap adds up to expensive

But no excuse is to small to justify a tool purchase!

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Kevin Hoff wrote:

I hope you used the fancy Subaru gray RTV - it's really extra good RTV, nothing like what you get at AutoZone.

(I didn't torque these when rebuilding my RS motor - just snug with my hand over the end of the wrench. The RTV just needs an even smooth pressure to bond well.)

--Kevin H.

No leaks anywhere as long as I owned it, either.

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you don't really need all the bolts on the oil pan, do you?

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