What is the best way to torque the gasket on a 1987 300E? My manual says 6 to 8 lbs but I do not have a wrench sensitive enough to torque at that low range. Can I get a 1/4 inch drive torque rachet at sears and do the job? I already split two gaskets. Or is there a trick to it? Is a more sensitive rachet measured in inches rather than foot lbs.? If so what is the conversion?

Smiles.

get one that
 

reads in inch-pounds and convert. I do not have the conversion in front of me right now.
Jim

When the torque value is so low, all you need to do is:
Put one bolt on at a time.
Finger tight all six bolts.
Turn each bolt a few turn at a time at the cross pattern.
Make your final turn a little harder.

Prior to install the pan, turn the pan upside down to check if the pan is level. Make adjustment if necessary.

jack

jylee, ..thanks for the info. I'll do exactly what you recommend.

I've not seen a 1/4" drive torque wrench but I believe they are out there. I have a 3/8" drive beam type torque wrench that reads 0-100 in-lbs (96 in-lbs = 8 ft-lbs)that I use for M6x1.00 auto trans pan gasket bolts and the like. Nice to have but about the same price as my Craftsman 3/8" drive clicker that covers the "normal" stuff to around 90 ft-lbs.

"Gently" is the operative guideline to do it by feel. Use a short 1/4" drive ratchet and position your fingers halfway between the head and the end to minimize torque potential.

Thanks guys. That is all very helpful. I went to American Service Center today and inquired about why I keep spliting gasgets. I was told that the ears that are located at the bolt holes get bent and that that causes the problem because the ears serve as stops for the pan as it presses against the gasget. Sure enough mine were severly bent... so much so that even the rim and seat of the pan had a bulge in it. That's why I could not get the pan to seat with the gasket. The higher bent area of the rim would contact the gasget first and then cut through it as I tourqed up the other bolts.

I bought a new pan and another gasket and everything is now honky dorey! No leaks!

Smiles.