Tools for Engine Work

Looking to buy some smaller size sockets (other than my 1/2" metric set), ratchet and in-lb and lb-ft torque wrench with lower settings than my big torque wrench. I was wondering what everyone recommends for a set for working on engines and more detailed stuff like transmissions etc. Brands as well as 3/8" drive vs 1/4" drive would be nice to hear about. Thank you.

Going to buy a long block 5vz tomorrow with a blown head gasket for $180 plus a working radiator (for a spare), wiring harness parts, and some more stuff from the owner's swap.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/thinking-about-buying-a-5vz-bhg-long-block.492672/

 

Bump - hoping to tear down the engine tomorrow to the short block.

 

Just buy metric and you'll be set, it's not worth it to piece meal a 5VZ tool kit. As far as brands people will tell you Harbor Freight will get you through the job or, as the parts schmuck at O'Reillys once said, "Snap On, Mac, or Matco only. Just ask the pros, none of them use anything else."

For hex drivers/allens I like Bondhus and that's my only brand recommendation. I've seen all the others work and fail all the same (sockets/wrenches/socket wrenches/etc.)

A quality impact driver will make your life quicker and easier on tear down just be careful on rebuild. Our Dewalt brushless 20V and Milwaukee Fuel impact drivers at work are beasts. A 1/2" impact is great for tire rotations too!

 

Thanks for the info on Bondhus. I'm looking at Craftsman, Tekton, whatever HD house brand level sockets. Is there anyone that prefers 3/8" over 1/4" drive? Same thing for torque wrench that gets most of the values for the engine heads - I'd like to get one that covers the lower end of torque values more specifically.

I think I'm going to save money by going with hand tools - there's a lot of stuff I've done with them such as lug nuts and suspension components. I get a weird satisfaction from it lol. I'll buy a speed wrench though. And someday when I have the funds for it, I'll probably buy an impact lol.

 

1/4" has it's place since they're typically thinner/shorter and can fit in tight spaces but I use 3/8" almost exclusively for no specific reason at all. Size to strength ratio maybe. When looking at brand you're better off looking at what their warranty is. Craftsman is a Stanley/B&D brand now still sold by Sears (for the time being) so they're warranty is nice if you live near one but who knows in the future. I have 5 Sears' within 30 minutes of me and finding replacements for broken tools can be a pain sometimes.

At work I use Rock River and Crescent brand (because they're free!) chrome 3/8" drive sockets on impact drivers daily with no issues. As far as I know Husky (HD) and Kobalt (Lowes) carry lifetime warranties on hand tools so those are contenders as well. Hell even the parts stores usually have a decent warranty on tools. I know Powerbuilt is lifetime on most, just avoid their adjustable snap ring pliers.

 

Ive always liked Crasftman, Husky, or Kobalt. This way if they break, I can run to Sears, Home Depot, or Loews. You can usually find one pretty much anywhere. With stuff like Snapon and Mac, you gotta wait for the truck to come back around.

 

Looks like I'll be getting 1/4" and maybe 3/8" as well. Socket size was a factor on removing the camshafts. Some of the bearing cap bolts were so close to the spark plug tube that I couldn't get anything but a 1/4" socket on it.

 

Anyone know the bolt size for the crank shaft? I'm going to take out my pistons tomorrow and need to rotate the crank, but I don't know what size bolt to put on to rotate it. Thank you.