200x crankcase bolts snapping?!

[Matrix]

After putting my new clutch in I decided now would be a good time to put the crankcase cover back on.. My Honda manual says to torque them to 7-10 ft lbs. I have a clicker type torque wrench from Advanced Auto Parts which the lowest it goes is 10 ft lbs. While I tried to put the bolts in one snapped while torquing it so I figured I should replace all the bolts. I went to Ace Hardware and just bought the first M6-1.00 bolts I could find (or the only ones they had). While I was torquing these down one decided to snap, at ten pounds by the way. So I once again pulled the cover off and simply unscrewed the bolt with my fingers (both of them). I put the cover back on and had to use one more of the old ones. Now I have 3 old ones on there BUT while torquing one of the old ones down it snapped. What should I do? Just go buy a heavier grade bolt? I am using a small extension on the torque wrench but that shouldn't matter. This is very puzzling to me.. I guess.

Does this happen to anyone else?

[briano]

Don't put them so tight.

[Matrix]

The manual says 7-10 pounds though?

[Deathrocket]

sounds like the torque wrench isn't right, I would get a beam type.

[yaegerb]

What kind of torque wrench are you using?? I use a snap on inch-lb wrench and when I torqued mine I realized that 10 was too much. I torqued all of mine to eight, or rather than using a torque wrench just use a regular wrench and don't over-tighten....its a steel bolt into an aluminum 26 year old case. Also I would recommend that if you are using the old bolts don't use a torque wrench...you will just end up snapping the bolts as you have already seen.

[torque]

i have found that my snap-on 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches are not accurate at the low settings, and over torque

[Matrix]

Okay, I had thought that it would be very inaccurate at low torque ratings. I have a performance tool (I think), it's just a generic one that Advanced sells but is still $50. I'll just try using my socket and getting them all roughly the same. A torque wrench can have such peace of mind that simply tightening and feeling can't.

[El Camexican]

That low a torque # requires a top of the line wrench $$$ (they don't sell them at Auto Zone) if thats how you want to go. I learned a trick in Dirt Bike Magazine long ago that works great on spark plugs and small bolts. Basicaly you tighten the wrench until your wrist "breaks" from a straight position. To test this grab a wrench and put it on a large bolt that is already tight. Lock your wrist straight in line with your forearm and try to tighten the bolt. Soon after you apply a little force you'll be unable to keep your wrist straight and it will move or "brake" and you will begin to pull on the wrench with your arm as your wrist can't exert much force. The point at which most people wrists "brake" is between 7 and 9 pounds. This is how I have been tightening all small bolts with the exeption of head and cylinder studs (These need a torque wrench) since I was 14 (I'm old now, so thats a looong time). After a while it will become second nature to you.