Wondering about torque in cold weather

[happydog500]

It's getting pretty cold around here, lows the other night where 28. If a friend and I do some work on a motor and torque bolts at, say 40 degrees, I'm worried that since it's so cold, the torque will be off when warmer weather comes.

Do I need to worry about torquing bolts on a motor in such cold weather?

Hope what I'm trying to say is clear, can't put it into the right words. Thank you,
Chris.

[Smith1000]

I have often wondered the same because I have put a lot of stuff together in the barn in the winter when it has been 8 degrees. I try to avoid working on stuff in cold temps, but sometimes it can't be avoided. I always figured if everything was cold; bolts, engine, etc. that maybe it didn't make that much of a difference. I did have a head gasket blow that I put on in extremely cold weather; it only lasted a couple of years. Not sure if the cold had much to do with it-maybe it did.

I would say at 40 degrees, there should be no problem and probably not much of a problem at even lower temps. I wouldn't try to put warm bolts in a cold engine, but if everything is about the same temp, I would think it would be okay.

[polarzak]

I agree. I have worked on a few engines in some pretty cold weather, and didn't
have any torque issues. Maybe at Artic temperatures, but I don't think at 40 you have anything to be concerned about. Besides, the bolts don't know how cold it is out.

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by polarzak

the bolts don't know how cold it is out.

Actually they do. This is the reason I was asking. If it's 20 outside and you torque a freezing bolt to a frozen motor, then when it warms up the mettle expands. Now you have a tighter bolt before you start the motor.

Thanks for the replys,
Chris.

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by happydog500

Actually they do. This is the reason I was asking. If it's 20 outside and you torque a freezing bolt to a frozen motor, then when it warms up the mettle expands. Now you have a tighter bolt before you start the motor.

Thanks for the replys,
Chris.

Of course the metal bolts expand /contract based on temperature...physics 101.. I was just being funny in suggesting that the bolts do not have the intelligence to know it if it is cold or not. Just a joke.

[happydog500]

Sorry, with my sense of humor, I should of known it was just being funny. I get called on stuff like this all the time. Thanks for the replys, both of them.
Chris.