Extra Long Combo Wrench

[Mudderoy]

A few years ago I replaced my cracked exhaust manifold with a new header. This is when I found out that the intake and exhaust manifolds used the same bolts! Surprised me, but I don't get out much.

It wasn't too tough until I started trying to get the bolts on the bottom of the manifolds tight. The space I had to work was very hard to reach and very hard to get my hand in. I think this is why they tell people to attach the intake/exhaust manifold to the head, and torque it, then install the head!

Recently I had a strange CEL code of P0100. I have an exhaust leak that I just assumed was another cracked exhaust manifold. After doing some thinking I decided I might need to check the bolts (that I didn't tighten too well) that hold the intake and exhaust manifolds to the head.

I found the two in the very back, upper/lower, loose. I found one in the middle, lower less than finger tight. It moved when I touched it with the wrench!

I haven't cleared the code yet, but I have noticed my miss at idle is better.

What I'm writing about here is my search for a LONG combo wrench. I guess I could just take a couple of wrenches cut off one end and weld them together! I don't have a welder though, and frankly I wouldn't mind having a set of long wrenches.

I've just started my search and I thought this might be a great place to ask you guys. It also might help a few of you out that have had the same problem as I have, getting those damn intake/exhaust bolts tight!

[BlueXJ]

Tony I used to have a set of long wrenches like you describe, until a toolbox was stolen in Atlanta at a truck stop. The wrenches were from Cornwell. I am not sure they still make that set as the toolman told me it was a special order that he had ordered for a customer who had subsequently not paid for them. As I remember they were about $120 in 1990.

[Mudderoy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_16963.jpg

I found these for $25 plus shipping. The brand kind of scares me though...

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-metric-highly-polished-long-handle-combination-wrench-set-47067.html

[Mudderoy]

Tony I used to have a set of long wrenches like you describe, until a toolbox was stolen in Atlanta at a truck stop. The wrenches were from Cornwell. I am not sure they still make that set as the toolman told me it was a special order that he had ordered for a customer who had subsequently not paid for them. As I remember they were about $120 in 1990.

I was trying to remember the name brand of a wrench I saw on "How It's Made" and I believe this is the brand!!! Thanks.

[BlueXJ]

They have tool trucks like Snap-On and Mac. The trucks are light blue and white.

[Mudderoy]

Tony I used to have a set of long wrenches like you describe, until a toolbox was stolen in Atlanta at a truck stop. The wrenches were from Cornwell. I am not sure they still make that set as the toolman told me it was a special order that he had ordered for a customer who had subsequently not paid for them. As I remember they were about $120 in 1990.

Cornwell WCM110LST - 10 Piece Extra Long Metric Combination Wrench Set
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/product_images/x/wcm110lst__13807.png

$378

:link: (http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=WCM110LST-%252d-10-Piece-Extra-Long-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set)

[4.3LXJ]

Tony, there are times when I make "special" tools. This might be one of them. If you go that route, check out the Craftsman, or Gear ratchet wrenches. The Gear wrenches can be gotten at a NAPA store, and are made in the same factory as Craftsman. Some of them have a very tight ratchet angle which might come in handy here. Just have someone weld an extra handle on the end with an extra bend if you need it.

[BlueXJ]

Tony I checked out the Pittsburg line from HF and they have a lifetime warranty unless they are altered. So that may be your best bet at the best price.

[xjrev10]

Pittsburg ratchets are better then Crapsman. I have been using all sorts of pittsburg tools for the last couple months and I'm extremely impressed with the quality!

[AZDoug]

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_16963.jpg

I found these for $25 plus shipping. The brand kind of scares me though...

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-piece-metric-highly-polished-long-handle-combination-wrench-set-47067.html

I have a set of these and they've held up very well

[bluedragon436]

I also have quite a few Pittsburgh tools..and they have all been used for many years, with little to no issues.. I am generally more of a brand name tool guy.. or at least a more reputable name tool person, (i.e. Kobalt).. but have purchased some Pittsburgh tools when I needed a certain tool and theirs was the only one I could find at the time, or could afford at that moment.. I might have to look into picking up their long comb wrench sets to add to my box.. as I am sure I'll make use of them when I change out my IM to the 99+IM.. and again when I do the header swap out...

[dagr8tim]

I have a set of these and they've held up very well

I own some HF hand tools and they're not bad. I have a 20 inch 3/4 drive breaker bar that works really well.

When I had to do the intake on my 99 Grand Marquis (4.6 v8), I got a set of their wrenches with the ratcheting setup on the boxed end. Worked well for removing nuts from between the back side of the engine and the firewall. I've got a set of craftsman wrenches, so the HF ones are pretty much backup's.

When I did the power steering lines on my XJ, I got a set of SAE & Metric line wrenches for $20. Not sure how often I will use them, so it was a good deal.

[Mudderoy]

This looks interesting...

http://www.gearwrench.com/images/items/enlargement/85988.jpg

If I understand it correctly it's a fixed box end and ratchet end!

The 15mm wrench is just shy of 13" long.

Amazon.com: GearWrench 85988 12 Piece Set Metric XL GearBox Ratcheting Wrench: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Biyi98byL.@@AMEPARAM@@51Biyi98byL

[BlueXJ]

If you have a limited amount of ratcheting area those gear wrench tools are the bomb.

[xj4life2]

This looks interesting...

http://www.gearwrench.com/images/items/enlargement/85988.jpg

If I understand it correctly it's a fixed box end and ratchet end!

The 15mm wrench is just shy of 13" long.

:link: (http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-85988-Metric-GearBox-Ratcheting/dp/B000T8WFBU/ref=pd_cp_hi_1)

I think everybody should have a set of these in the long (pictured) and the stubby. They have saved my bacon many times

[pvt.tadpolxj]

I have worked with a lot of tool's over the year's, and have seen all kind's of speacialty tool's...I have to say my favorite hand tool's are kobalt....I used a small set of them when i worked at a foundry for 9 yr's...I usede everything from hand tool's to many air tool's.. And I trained a little in the tool & die shop..That was really cool!...Learned a little about dial caliper's, and got a little training with some bridgeport's, and some smaller table lathe's...:pray: