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[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

Tools

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Category: Service Equipment

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

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:

  1. Snap-On
  2. 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:
    th_interlocking_combo_wrenches.jpg
  • 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.

26150.jpg

Locking Pliers

For removing rounded-off nuts or grabbing stubborn screw by the head, use locking pliers.

26151.jpg

Carburetor Wrench

For removing that pesky carb nut next to the rocker cover, cut a 10 mm wrench in half.

25873.jpg

Engine Mount Wrench

For removing the nut on the bottom of the Engine Mounts, cut a 12 mm wrench in half.

4689.jpg

Oil Filter Wrench

filter-wrench.jpg

25711.jpg

Torque Wrench

Inexpensive beam-and-pointer type
4204.jpg

180px-Torque_wrench_side_view_0691.jpg

180px-Torque_wrench_reading_view_0688.jpg

Torque Wrench

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.

Ball Stud Puller

For balljoints and Steering Linkage ball studs.

Purpose-made ballstud puller
album

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.
220px-Dial_calipers.jpg

Vernier Calipers are necessary for higher precision, such as measuring internal engine clearances down to thousands of a millimeter.
240px-Vernier_caliper.svg.png

Compression Tester

See: Engine compression test for how to use it.

92720.gif

harborfreight.com

This kind has both a screw-in fitting and a push-in fitting. With the long part you push it into the spark plug hole, then crank the engine.

$20 USD - Summit Racing.com
th_sum-900009_compression_tester.jpg

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 Gun

About $40 to $50 at http://sears.com. Easiest way to test for Vacuum Leaks

MityVac Automotive Vacuum Test and Bleed Kit

mityvac.jpg

Battery Tools

Terminal cleaner - see Battery Maintenance
th_battery_cable_cleaner.jpg

Fuel Pressure Tester

See main article: Fuel pump pressure test

Cooling System Tester

See main article: Smoke

Spring Compressor

Valve Spring Compressor Search as inexpensive as $16

Valve Spring Compressor
23648.jpg

On-Engine Valve Spring Compressor
7342.jpg

G-Clamp (C-Clamp) can work in a pinch:
th_G-Clamp.jpg

OHV Valve Spring Compressor Balkamp 7769094 at http://napaonline.com
th_Spring_Compressor_7769094.jpg

Leaf Spring Compressor
18678.jpg

Strut Spring Compressor at http://www.napaonline.com