MUST Have Tools

[docrodg]

No-one seems to have stated these so here goes...

1.  Torque Wrenches, 1/2 and 3/8 drive... These are aluminum engines so ALL bolts should get tightened with a torque wrench.  Torque wrench must be moving at time the torque is met or the result is invalid and you have to back off the bolt and retighten as it takes more torque to start the bolt moving than keep it moving.

2.  Good multimeter, make sure it is a safe one to use, older meters may have too much voltage on ohm-check for the computer and cause a fry-out.

3.  line wrenches, these are for brake and fuel lines, use a regular wrench and it is likely to slip and strip the nut.  Also wonderful for bleeder screws.

4.  good jack stands, rated at higher than the jack for load.  The higher rating is a safety factor that is good to have.  And only use them on concrete, they will sink or punch thru blacktop unless you put thick plywood underneath.

5.  A pack of GM electrical pins for the connectors and some wire for making up probes for the meter.  Saves headaches, so optional

6.  Manuals, I prefer the factory.  Also wiring diagrams.  The diagrams are also available at 8 bucks for the car thru Automotive Hobbyists.  These are more complete than Chiltons or Haynes.

7.  For engine work a good set of Micrometers (Inside and Outside), and a bore gage if you can afford it.  Calipers are not accurate enough for that work.

8.  Optional:  Glazer's Iron, hard to find, kinda like a thin wonder-bar for woodowrking but without the holes and slot for nail removing and MUCH thinner.  Wonderful tool for interior trim removal and other misc. tasks.

9.  Patience.

[1988GTU]

You need all those?
All I have is the following:
1) Beer
2) A really BFH
3) Duct Tape
What is this ?patience? you speak of?  

[docrodg]

Man, I forgot the BFH... a must for suspension work!  Forget the pickle fork idea for tie rods... get a rod and pry on the tie rod while smacking the knuckle with a man-sized hammer a good blow right on the side next to the tie rod socket.  Out pops the tie rod and no boot damage.

"Takes a lot of beer to make a good car"

[whitetalonb16g]

if its a GM product, a good torx set

[heavywoody]

And all sizes of metric sockets/wrenches. I prefer the ratcheting wrenches by Craftsman.

[speedygtz]

beer,patience,time,craftsman tools,and of course money,you aint doing anything without money!

try and get them all at ounce!