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The spark plug is one of the crucial parts of your car engine that creates electric sparks to ignite the fuel. This, in turn, drives the car’s pistons. So, it’s impossible to start the engine without it.
When it’s about tightening the spark plug of your car engine, you need to be extra careful because overtightening can damage the thread and cause internal gas to leak.
Therefore, be sure to get the best torque wrench for spark plugs. This particular type of wrench ensures that you don’t overtighten and cause further issues in the engine.
It can be overwhelming to find the right tool for your needs. To make things easier, here is a list of top 10 torque wrenches to buy.
What Makes a Good Torque Wrench for Spark Plugs?
As a spark plug is a highly sensitive part of each engine, you need to make sure it’s properly tightened using a torque wrench.
6 Tips for Buying a Spark Plug Torque Wrench:
Accuracy
A torque wrench for spark plugs should deliver an accurate torque amount according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Wrenches that come with +/–3% of accuracy are considered the most accurate ones; standard +/–4% ones get the work done as well.
Build
Make sure the wrench is made of an all-steel alloy material that assures you of durability. Also, it should have a chrome plating to prevent rust and corrosion building.
Type
If you are on a budget, a mechanical torque wrench will bring great value for your bucks. They feature click feedback that prevents overtightening the spark plugs.
The electric torque wrenches are more accurate and come with a handful of features. However, you will have to pay more for getting one of these wrenches.
Reversible
The ability to torque in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions is a great advantage to have. But the accuracy in counterclockwise is relatively lower.
Torque Amount
When you get a torque wrench, you can use it for other applications as well. If you have to deal with fasteners or nuts and bolts that require higher torque value, consider getting one that offers such features.
Torque Measurement Unit
Most torque wrenches come with ft-lb or in-lb, and Nm units. It’s up to your preference which one to go for.
10 Best Torque Wrench for Spark Plugs
Not all the torque wrenches out there, are suitable for dealing with spark plugs. As the work requires great accuracy, you can confidently pick one from the products below.
Tekton ½ Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 10-150 ft-lb
This torque wrench from Tekton comes with a wide dual scale range in Nm and ft-lb to be able to tighten spark plug conveniently. With its pre-calibrated +/–4% of accuracy, you can drive the fasteners in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions conveniently.
However, you can only measure the torque in a clockwise direction, as in most cases, measuring counterclockwise direction doesn’t achieve much accuracy.
You can quickly set the preferred torque value in Newton meter or ft-lb. unit and can proceed to tighten fasteners.
Once the preset value is reached, you will hear and feel a clicky feedback on its handle that ensures you don’t torque any further. This prevents overtightening the fastener and damaging the spark plug.
Its reliable all-steel construction makes sure the wrench is durable enough to withstand pretty much any fastening job. There is no plastic part that may break or wear out.
Moreover, there will be no struggling to read its dual-range scale values regardless of the lighting condition. The wrench comes in a hard plastic case so that you can carry it around with convenience.
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Tekton ½ Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench 25-250 ft-lb
Another ½ inch wrench from Tekton, but this one offers a higher scale range than the previously reviewed one.
Its dual-range scale shows ft-lb and Nm unit to make torque adjustment. If your fastening jobs require higher torque values that range within 250 ft-lb or 338.9 Nm, then this torque wrench can handle those fastening tasks easily.
You can easily reverse the wrench in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. But, it only measures in the clockwise direction to maintain its accuracy. Set the desired torque value and start torquing the fastener.
When your preset value is delivered, there will be click feedback telling you not to torque further.
Made of durable all-steel material, this wrench is very sturdy. You will find it easily withstand some of your tougher fastening jobs, and abusive impacts.
There is no reason to worry about wear and tear as it doesn’t have any plastic parts. It will provide you reliable mechanical service for years.
The wrench comes pre-calibrated with +/–4% accuracy out of the box. You will find it accurate enough when dealing with most light-duty fastening jobs.
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Related Guide: 3/4 Torque Wrench
eTork ½ Inch Drive Click Style Digital Torque Wrench 25-250 ft-lb.
This digital eTork torque wrench allows you to set torque value in 4 different units so that you can use it on versatile fasteners with much convenience. The tool is ideal for dealing with fasteners that require mild torque settings.
Electric torque wrenches are more accurate than mechanical wrenches. This is not an exception to this one.
It comes with pre-calibrated accuracy of +/–3% in the clockwise direction, which is much better in terms of precision compared to conventional wrenches. The accuracy fluctuates +/–6% in counterclockwise.
Thid wrench features a 45 tooth ratchet head that is reversible in both the directions so that you can reach fasteners of tight spaces.
Made of hardened alloy steel material, the housing of this wrench feels quite strong and durable as well. It feels very lightweight and slim in hand when you use it.
Due to the ball bearing releasing mechanism, you can count on this electric torque wrench in terms of delivering consistent and precise torque value. Its locking knob ensures that the value doesn’t change unless you change it manually.
To prevent you from further torquing, it will emit click sound and release the fastener once the preset value is reached.
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Precision Instruments ½ Inch Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench
This torque wrench features a flexible head that allows you to fasten in tight and narrow spaces without much effort. As it’s a beam style wrench, you will be able to eliminate all issues that people face using micrometer-style click wrenches.
The housing of the tool got a chrome finish to ensure the durability of this wrench. In addition to that, its ergonomic grip ensures that it will not slip out of your hand accidentally.
You can make torque adjustment in both ft-lb and Nm units. The metric setting ranges from 50 to 250 ft-in, and the other setting ranges from 100 to 300 Nm.
Both these scales are easy to read on this wrench. Its long length allows you to reach for hard to get fasteners with ease.
The torque setting on this wrench is lockable for using the same torque value on different fasteners if they require so. Unlike conventional wrenches, it doesn’t have a spring tension mechanism for adjustment; instead, the adjustment knob takes care of it easily and faster.
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eTork Click-Style Torque Wrench ½ Inch Drive 50-250 ft-lb
The torque wrench from eTork is able to deliver torque value with much accuracy and comes with features that will make torquing more convenient regardless of the intensity of the work.
To ensure the utmost strength as well as durability, the manufacturer used hardened alloy steel material to make its housing. It also got an ergonomic handle that feels pretty comfortable to hold in hand. Despite being a sturdy wrench, it feels lightweight and slim while using.
You can operate and measure the head in both directions. So, driving it in tight and narrow spaces will not be a major issue. However, the accuracy is much better at +/–3% when you do it in a clockwise direction, which is much higher than conventional ones.
Its easy to read dual-range scales will make sure you don’t make any error while measuring under any circumstances.
There is a lock mechanism that prevents accidental torque value changes as well. You can easily pull down the lock knob and turn the handle until you get your preferred torque value.
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Gearwrench ½ Inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench 30-250 ft-lbs.
Made of anodized aluminum, this torque wrench is very well made to meet the toughest fastening requirements. The overall profile of the wrench is quite thin. Its teardrop head design allows you to access tight spaces for versatile applications.
With a pre-calibrated accuracy of +/–3%, you will be able to operate it clockwise precisely between 20 to 100% of its capability. It’s hard to find another micrometer torque wrench with such accuracy and reliable build quality.
You can easily set or change torque value with its easy to pull adjustment collar. It’s super easy and doesn’t require mechanical skills at all. The scale range on its housing got high contrast accent and is very easy to read regardless of the lighting conditions.
Even though pretty much all mechanical torque wrenches emit click sounds when the targeted torque value is reached, there are only a few that provide responsive clicky feedback.
This one is one of those wrenches that provide excellent clicky feedback in any work condition.
The manufacturer was kind enough to provide a hard-shell storage case with this torque wrench.
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Neiko 03716B ¾ Inch Torque Multiplier Power Wrench 2,200 Foot-Pound
With a chrome-moly steel made head drive and chrome vanadium steel handle, this torque multiplier wrench is durable enough to provide you years of service.
Whether it’s plumbing, construction, automobile, or industrial usage, its 2,200 foot-pound output torque power will be strong enough to handle such applications that require higher power multiplier torque.
The torque multiplier wrench provides added torque to bust frozen or rusted fasteners with ease. This wrench torque multiplier actually delivers 3 times the power than conventional ones.
The multiplier wrench got a Cr-Mo high torque delivering head that is compatible with a standard hand wrench. With its 2.9 inches of head, you can conveniently fasten bolts and nuts that are located in hard to access tight spaces.
In addition to that, the torque multiplier tool comes with 19.5 inches long handle provides the necessary leverage to get the work done easily.
For easy transport, the manufacturer provides a heavy-duty molded case for organizing other necessary tools other than this torque wrench.
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Gearwrench 85077 ½ Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench 30-340 Nm
Digital torque wrenches are well-familiar for their utmost precise torque value, and this is not an exception with this electronic wrench from Gearwrench.
The accuracy is about +/–2% when you operate and measure it in clockwise, and +/–3% when you do it in counterclockwise, which is between 20-100% of its capability.
You will find its 5-degrees swing arc very effective at turning fasteners of tight spaces, thanks to its 72-tooth ratchet mechanism.
In addition to that, there are five torque measurement units for you to work with, as different fasteners of different applications come with torque instructions in different units.
As far as durability is concerned, you can rely on its strength. The handle, as well as the housing, got oil and solvent resistant material that ensures you don’t slip the wrench off your hand. This also contributes to overall durability too.
You will get a target torque alert that prevents you from further torquing. The handle vibrates, buzzes alarm, and the LED light flashes when you hit the desired torque value.
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CDI ⅜ Inch Drive Micro-Adjustable Torque Wrench 5-75 ft-lbs.
If your fastening jobs require you to deliver low torque value with accuracy, you can consider getting this torque wrench from CDI. This wrench offers torque value as low as 5 ft-lbs. all the way to 75 ft-lbs.
This mechanical torque wrench is built very rigidly, ensuring industrial-grade strength to be able to handle tough professional fastening jobs. The light knurl texture makes its handle non-slippery and provides you great grip to hold.
You can measure its dual-range scale in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In clockwise, the accuracy is about +/–3%, and in counterclockwise directions, it’s +/–4%. The accuracy is better within 20-100% of wrench capability.
With the help of its quick-release button, you can easily install and remove sockets. The wrench also features a positive lock for fastening convenience.
Even though the product is highly-priced compared to conventional ones, but once you use it, you will realize that extra money makes the deal worth considering.
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Performance Tool 100-600 ft-lbs ¾ Inch Drive Torque Wrench
This torque wrench is engineered for heavy-duty fastening jobs such as dealing with auto, SUVs, trucks, and industrial nuts and bolts.
The wrench is made of high strength steel material to endure your toughest challenges. In addition to that, its chrome finish makes it durable, even when you use it in bad weather.
If your fastening jobs require high torquing, you can choose from its 100 to 600 ft-lbs. with 1 lb of increment. Apart from that, the Newton-meters unit is also engraved on the housing of this wrench. It’s a reversible wrench, so you can operate it in both directions.
Performance Tool ships this heavy-duty wrench pre-calibrated with an accuracy rate of +/–4%, which meets the general standard of torque wrenches.
Its 40 inches long handle will provide you the necessary leverage to deal with rusted nuts and bolts. In addition to that, this length will also give you access to tight spaces as well.
To maintain its calibration, be sure to keep the torque at the lowest setting after you are done fastening.
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Torque Wrench for Spark Plugs Buying Guide
Torque Wrench Spark Plug Frequently Asked Questions
Technically you can use old tune-up tools like a spark plug socket, ratchet, gap gauge, etc. to tighten the plug.
However, it’s highly recommended to use a torque wrench because using other tools can overtighten the plug – causing damage and further issues in the engine.
You can screw the spark plug using your hand. But, once the gasket comes within the contact of the cylinder head, you will need a torque wrench to be able to tighten it according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Hand tightening will not do the job properly.
For 14mm threads, the recommended torque setting is about 7 to 15 ft-lbs. Similarly, if the threads are of 18mm, consider setting 15 to 20 ft-lbs. of torque.
If the plugs aren’t properly tightened, you will notice poor fuel mileage, starting issues, poor engine performance, knock noises, etc. symptoms.
Over-torquing a spark plug will cause stress to the shell, damage or
break the thread, internal gas leakage, a hairline fracture, and more.
Final Words
Getting the best torque wrench for spark plugs will ensure that the plug is adequately torqued. Also, you can use the wrench for other tightening purposes and deal with other fasteners, nuts, and bolts.
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