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Sometimes you just need a specialty tool. It can save time, or money, or in some cases mean the difference between doing it right or wrong.
Also see Sears.com Mechanic's Tools☁
Contents |
1200 Factory Tool Kit
Dwell-Tachometer
Older style (analog) Dwell-Tachometers are inexpensive $20 upᴳ.
Analog Dwell Meter
- adjust 4-cylinder points to 49-55 degrees
- set idle speed to 750rpm
Mechanic's Coveralls
Keep your beach clothes clean while working on your Nissan.
Altia - A Dream With No Horizon
Hand Tools
Just starting out? Get a cheap $10 socket set. Yes it will break sooner or later, but you'll learn a lot. And if you don't stick with "wrenching" you haven't spent too much
- Make sure to use 3/8" ratchets and sockets -- never use 1/4" tools except on the tinyest of bolts (1/4" hex head or smaller)
Shadetree mechanics will want a quality set of "guaranteed" tools at a budget price.
- In North America, Sears Craftsman is the de facto standard for this application. They are good quality. Yes, they will occasionally break, but the guarantee and location of stores make it easy to get free replacments.
Professional mechanics that get paid by the hour lose money when a tool breaks. So they are willing to pay 4-5x times the cost for "great" tools compared to "good" tools like Craftsman. The best brands include:
- Snap-On
- Mac Tools
The reason these are better than the more common brands include:
- Higher strength. In general, they are less likely to break
- Smaller, thinner tools.
- Example: Snap-on sockets fit in tight places a Craftsman socket may not fit. In turn Craftsman socket are fairly thin and fit in a great many spots where cheap thick sockets won't. Ditto for box-end wrenches
Sockets & Ratchets
- You defintely want 12-point sockets. They work much easier to fit especially where you can't see or directly reach the bolt, and so make work faster.
- 6-point sockets are for very tight, or for worn bolt heads. Definitely always use 6-point for head bolts, lugnuts and seat belt anchor bolts -- anything that is fastened to a high torque spec. Use them anytime a bolt starts to round off.
- 6-point deep sockets are useful for aluminum wheel lugnuts and a a few other places it is almost required.
- Metric deep sockets are nice, however not required. As an alternative, 9/16" works for 14mm, plus larger metric sizes can also be used with SAE deep sockets
Quality vs Budget tip:
- Get an expensive ratchet and a budget-quality set of sockets
- Ratchets break more often than sockets
Sizes
- Make sure to use 3/8" ratchets and sockets -- never use 1/4" tools except on the tinyest of bolts (1/4" hex head or smaller)
- It is a must to use 1/2" "breaker bar" and sockets on high-torque bolts of 3/4" or larger.
Wrenches
- Combo wrenches are recommended. These have one box-end and one open-end:
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- On a car, never use a monkey wrench -- throw those aways
- Don't use a crescent wrench except for very small bolts, 8mm (5/16") or smaller -- say a 4" crescent.
- For 1/2" or larger bolt heads that you can't get a socket on, use Vice-grips, preferably genuine Vice-grip brand.
Flare Wrench
For safely removing flare nuts without damage. For brakes lines and hydraulic clutch lines. 10 mm is the size used by Datsun 1200.
Locking Pliers
For removing rounded-off nuts or grabbing stubborn screw by the head, use locking pliers.
Carburetor Wrench
For removing that pesky carb nut next to the rocker cover, cut a 10 mm wrench in half.
Engine Mount Wrench
For removing the nut on the bottom of the Engine Mounts, cut a 12 mm wrench in half.
Oil Filter Wrench
Torque Wrench
Torque wrenchᵂ is used to tighten bolts to the exact specification, thus preventing over-tightening or under-tightening. Cost: $25 and upᴳ.
Inexpensive beam-and-pointer type
Top scale: Newton Meters, bottom scale: Inch Pounds
Hot Rod Magazine Tech Articles - Torque-Wrench Calibration☁
if you use a clicker-type wrench, always return it to the lowest setting on the scale after use. That relieves tension on the internal spring, maintaining its accuracy over a longer period
If you use your torque wrench often, it should be calibrated at least once a year.
Grease Gun
For chassis lube
Ball Stud Puller
For balljoints and Steering Linkage ball studs.
Purpose-made ballstud puller
Body Rotisserie
See Main Article: Spit
Calipers
Calipers are used to measure diameter. You can also measure width to a far more precise degree than a tape measure.
Dial calipers are only $20. Precise enough for 99% of all uses, short of measuring internal engine clearances. A quality plastic one is inexpensive yet with high accuracy. Stainless versions are expensive yet stay cleaner and may last longer.
Vernier Calipers are necessary for higher precision, such as measuring internal engine clearances down to thousands of a millimeter.
Diagnostic Tools
Save time and money by determining the real problem before buying parts.
Compression Tester
See: Engine compression test for how to use it.
With the screw-in fitting it is easier (you don't have to hold it in place). You can usually place the gauge on the engine top and view it through the windshield while sitting in the the driver's seat.
Vacuum Gauge
For testing running engine vacuum and for testing fuel pump pressure.
diagnostic vacuum gaugeᴳ $15-$30 USD
Engine Vacuum/Fuel Pump Tester
This particular gauge reads in Inches (and fuel pressure in Pounds)
0-10: RED
late valve timing or manifold leak
10-14" LOW maybe a small vacuum leak?
14-18" LATE IGN. TIMING
18-22" NORMAL
22-30" maximum, not usually seen on a gasoline engine
Vacuum Gun
About $40 to $50 at http://sears.com. Easiest way to test for Vacuum Leaks
MityVac Automotive Vacuum Test and Bleed Kit
Fuel Pressure Tester
See main article: Fuel pump pressure test
Cooling System Tester
See main article: Cooling System Pressure Test
Colortune
Combustion inspector
Engine Stand
Generic common engine stands work with A-series engines too
Custom A-series engine stand/rebuild stand
A-series display stand
Running Stand
Battery Tools
Terminal cleaner - see Battery Maintenance
Spring Compressor
Valve Spring Compressor Search as inexpensive as $16
Valve Spring Compressor
On-Engine Valve Spring Compressor
G-Clamp (C-Clamp) can work in a pinch:
OHV Valve Spring Compressor Balkamp 7769094 at http://napaonline.com
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Also See: Valve Spring Removal/Installation
Leaf Spring Compressor
Strut Spring Compressor
http://www.napaonline.com from $34
