The Hodaka Club Forum

I just finished assembling a 1970 Super Rat engine. I went back to see exactly how tight the counter shaft nut was. I checked with 2 different Torque Wrenches: a CLICK type and a BEAM type. Both show 120 Inch Pounds or 10 Foot Pounds of Torque. It seems that it stops right there. I triple checked my numbers this time and came up with 120 Inch Pounds of Torque all 3 times with 2 different Torque Wrenches. They PROBABLY should be called Torque Ratchets. Joe Ormonde.

Joe, I don’t use one.

I don`t either. For the first time I checked it with a Torque Wrench. At 120 Inch Pounds it seems to just stop. The Clutch Nut calls for 250 Inch Pounds. Seems kinda high. We all do things differently and in my case strange at times. Like my Super Rat. In 1974 I ruined my Head Gasket and wanted to ride so I bolted the head on (Dry deck), NO HEAD GASKET !!! I Ran my little Rat that way until 2014 when I put it back to Factory Stock.40 Years and No leak ! Then I rebuilt my 1970 Husqvarna 400 Engine and found out it`s a Dry Deck Engine. No Head gasket. Joe Ormonde.

I hold the sprocket with a claw type ignition flywheel holder. A snugged 12" Crescent wrench at 90 degrees out from the sprocket and a lever in its jaws in close to the sprocket provide tightening leverage. SWAG torque to nearly 250 inch pounds. It works for me.

Kelly, do you mean you don't use a torque wrench on the sprocket nut? Or that you don't use a torque wrench at all?

I thought that I was REALLY SLICK until I pulled a Cylinder Stud right out of the case ! Yes! I tightened the head nuts with a 1/2 ratchet with a long handle and OOPS! Leverage. Now, I use Anti-Seize and a 1/4 inch ratchet followed up with a 3/8 Torque Wrench. I use tiny Hammers and step up to larger ones now too! I also start heating things with a Propane Torch and step up to my Cutting torch IF need be. My favorite one was when my brother borrowed my Hand Held Impact Driver to split his Yamaha engine case. He used a Mini- Sledge and drove my Impact Driver RIGHT THROUGH THE CASE ! Remember: A Task Slowly Done Is Surely Done. Joe Ormonde.