Prop Torque Adapter

Someone asked how to properly torque the studs on the Hartzell prop without buying the official extension from Hartzell, which is at least $200. Here is my $10 solution. I bought a 3/4" flex head wrench at Sears. This is open at one end and has a closed ratchet at the other end. It's different from the typical closed-end wrench because the closed end can be held straight, not the typical 15 degrees on a standard closed-end wrench. At the closed end, I put a combination of 3/4" bolt, nuts and washers as illustrated below. You'll have to recalculate the torque needed with the extension. Using the formula given in the book, and verifying with the online version at Dan Checkoway's website, my new torque came to about 40 ft/lbs. Before I put the prop in place on the engine, I put DC-4 on the O-ring and the end of the crank, again per the manual. This helps the seal and prevents the O-ring from being pinched as the prop is installed. I've learned through experience that tightening the studs should only be done by hand, no wrench. If things are too tight to turn by hand, something is not aligned properly. Don't force it. Back each stud off a revolution or two and try again. Once the studs are nearly bottomed out, then get out the wrench and torque them down. Finally, after everything is tight, safety the studs with .032 wire.