Top five specialty tools for the 914 tool box

[plasmacutter94]

On a similar line of thought, what 5 tools, in your opinion, should every bolt-turning owner of a 914 own?

You can use any criteria, but please lay it out for me, I can be stupid.

I am thinking: Tools that make difficult jobs easy, or tools that are specialized for the car, or tools that are just all around important to have for any car work, or tools that you find just good for this work. I have a pretty good Craftsman toolset my parents pieced to me over several Christmases many years ago. Some of the ratchets are even original (25-30 years old) though some could use a trade in...lol. I have standard and metric of course, but need to fill in a few lost lamb sockets, and definitely need the universal joint socket joints. BTW, what size is the sparkplug on the 2.0? I apparently don't have that size in a spark plug socket.

Thanks!

PT

[aircooledtechguy]

The plug socket you need is a 13/16"

Here's my top 5 general tools that come to mind:

1. a "one-man" brake bleeder system. Lisle makes a nice one available at most Sears for around $6-$7. Wives/girlfriends typically HATE pumpign the pedal for you. . .

2. A good multimeter. I have an Actron (Sears again) that is designed for cars that among all the usual multimeter features you expect, it also has tach and dwell features. Around $70

3. A timing light with advance. I have a Craftsman (a trend is starting) with a dial advance which I prefer over the digital buttons. Around $70

4. A good rechargeable LED drop-light. I really like my Saberlight. http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/atd-80106.html

5. A spark plug starter tool from MAC tools (tool#SPS1). I sell these at my shop and they are the best way to ensure you never cross-thread your plugs in your aluminum heads See it here on my site: http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-t ... lug_tools/

Two more bonus suggestions that go with a multimeter;

1. Mag leads: http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/pa ... ead_s.html
These beauties allow you to simply pull off either lead and use a magnet to stick it to what you are reading. I have these exclusively on my multimeter. I simply pull off the stick end and stick the magnet onto a ground. Then you can concentrate on holding the meter and what you're testing. Simply the best $16-$20 spent to go with a multimeter.

2. Retractable test leads: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kas-1129.html I have these and the double 30foot set and are completely indispensable for testing old wiring systems for shorts from the front to the rear of the car. These basically allow you to clip on a wire in the front and test the other end with your multimeter.

[raygreenwood]

The top two on yours are also the top two on mine. The one man bleeder system is superb to have. Its actually saved my tail before.

(3) on My list a very, very very complete 1/4" drive socket set. I have collected in one small box, two ratchets, breaker bars, extensions enough to work to 36" down to 1" with a "wobbler", full set of short and deep sockets from 3mm to 14mm, universal joints, spring extension...and even 1/4" to 3/8" adaptor. These help in so many places.

(4) Bosch spark plug gapper tool. Superb. It also is made for tripple electrode plugs. The only way to gap w7DTC's and BP6-ET's

(5) My Paladin crimper tool and three dies. Does every factory crimp in the car...including fuel injection terminals.

Bonus tools:

(1) My set of Wiha allen wrenches with locking snap rings on the ball so screws cannot come off.

(2) My extendable magnetic probe collection.

Ray

[fusername]

do you have a link for that bosch spark plug tool, or a pn? I don't like my way of doing it, and tripple electrodes tickle my fancy if they actually work worth the money.

[raygreenwood]

his is the gauge set. I have posted the part number somewhere in the STF several times. I can get it tonight.

http://www.familycar.com/autoparts/bosc ... gauge.html

Ray

[Piledriver]

Porsche jack adapter, plugs in where the std jack goes, use with a floor jack.
(Same as 911 unit) savges your floor/rocker panels, keep it in the car and make tire shops etc use it.

My toolbox is probably a lot like Rays...

I bough a Mityvac for bleeding brakes (has other uses as well slightly modded)

[raygreenwood]

Porsche jack adapter, plugs in where the std jack goes, use with a floor jack.
(Same as 911 unit) savges your floor/rocker panels, keep it in the car and make tire shops etc use it.

My toolbox is probably a lot like Rays...

I bough a Mityvac for bleeding brakes (has other uses as well slightly modded)

Yeah probably so! I know I absoluetly hate to arrive at some of those mile-deep junkyards like in South Dallas....and walk all teh way to the fence and not be able to remove a part without destroying it because I forgot something odd.
I can probably "make" more tools from the crap in my tool box....than the actual number of formal tools that I have. Ray

[tornik550]

Specialized-
-Distributor Gear Puller
http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/pro ... ts_id=2337

-Clutch Alignment Tool
http://www.automotion.com/product.asp?p ... pt_id=5054

Not Specialized-
-Penetrating Oil!!!

-Dial Calipers

-Feeler Gauges (for setting valve lash)

The above tools are helpful in certain situations. I am very glad that I have all of them in my toolbox although I do not use them very often.