M20 SAE socket sizes

[varlajo]

Does anyone happen to have the compendium of all SAE socket sizes required for M20 servicing, e.g. annual inspection or a comprehensive pre-buy? 

[Hank]

I just keep a normal set, what? 1/4 - 3/4, in my toolbox. You'll likely need some wrenches, again a standard set works for most things, but a 1" fits the oil filter.

I buy unusual tools when I need them, as there are more tools available than will fit in my hangar.

Screwdriver set, ratcheting screwdriver, pliers, channel locks, needle nose, dikes, wire stripper, torque wrench and spark plug socket. That'll do most of what you need. And safety wire pliers. 

[N201MKTurbo]

A 3/8” 1/4 inch drive will disassemble 90% of a Mooney.

Next in line is the 7/16. Beyond that, you will need the rest of the sizes.

[Hank]

40 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

A 3/8” 1/4 inch drive will disassemble 90% of a Mooney.

Next in line is the 7/16. Beyond that, you will need the rest of the sizes.

Yep. But most inexpensive sets, like I keep in the plane, are 3/8" drive. Then1/4" drive sets are generally smaller size, with shorter ratchet handles.

Wrenches are still required, there is no room for a socket, much less the ratchet handle, on the oil filter.

[Mark942]

Harbor Freight or garage sales or auctions. Buy sockets, and wrenches for cheap because you will need to use a hand grinder to cut off, grind down, heat with torch and bend in odd angles.  Keep a drawer in your tool box for all the modified tools you accumulate.  Saves a ton of time having a tool that is bent just right or has half the end ground off so you can get it on.  Duct tape or painter's blue tape over a boxed end wrench to keep the nut from falling in to never land.  EXTRA long 24" or 36" screw drivers and multiple socket set extensions are really handy. Remember, buy cheap and many so you can make them work. Sure cuts down on time and frustration. Also, replace Phillip screws that are removed several times a year. They get rounded out a little and then all of a sudden, you are spending two hours trying to get it out.  Eazy outs are also needed once in a while (this would be an exception to buying cheap - buy good ones).  Also, flexible scopes that pair to your cell phone for getting a good view where you can't see.  Beats a mirror on a stick.  Amazon has a lot of cheap ones that would have been very expensive 10 years ago.

-mark

[PT20J]

If you replace screws, reference the IPC and order the correct lengths. Many of the kits you can buy don't have the right length screws. If they are too long, in most places it just means it takes longer to remove inspection panels. But, there are a few places where the wrong length screw will interfere with something and a couple of places where the wrong length screw will damage control tubes and too long screws in the fuel tank access panels are a common cause of leaks.

[varlajo]

3 hours ago, Hank said:

there is no room for a socket, much less the ratchet handle, on the oil filter.

I manage to squeeze this lil' guy in:

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-Stubby-Impact-Socket/dp/B097Z9CB3L?th=1

[varlajo]

2 hours ago, Mark942 said:

Eazy outs are also needed once in a while (this would be an exception to buying cheap - buy good ones)

Never heard of those things, thank you! I just use a Dremel tool to tear 'em a new one... 

Edited February 22 by varlajo

[Hank]

7 minutes ago, varlajo said:

I manage to squeeze this lil' guy in:

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-Stubby-Impact-Socket/dp/B097Z9CB3L?th=1

Cool! Never seen those before. I have a Craftsman set I got back when they were still good, with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drives and a boatload of sockets, but I've still had to periodically add adapters, reducers, universal joints, extensions, etc.

I bought a canvas roll of wrenches from the back of a truck at an Elk's Lodge sale about ten years ago, must have cost about $10. It runs from 1/4" to 1-1/4", and the one I use from it the most is the 1".

[Fly Boomer]

Anybody ever try one of these?

https://www.aircraft-tool.com/Detail?id=OILEASY1

 

[N201MKTurbo]

You can get a 1” end wrench at Harbor Freight for like $5.

[PT20J]

Yeah, I got a 1" ratchet box end wrench. I can't get a torque wrench on the filter on the A3B6. I figured out that torqueing a rubber gasket doesn't make a lot of sense anyway and 3/4 turn seems to do it. Never had a leak on the cars or airplanes.

Wobbly extensions are useful. The only socket I've had to turn down is the half inch for the Lycoming exhaust nuts.

[Hank]

48 minutes ago, PT20J said:

Yeah, I got a 1" ratchet box end wrench. I can't get a torque wrench on the filter on the A3B6. I figured out that torqueing a rubber gasket doesn't make a lot of sense anyway and 3/4 turn seems to do it. Never had a leak on the cars or airplanes.

Wobbly extensions are useful. The only socket I've had to turn down is the half inch for the Lycoming exhaust nuts.

I only use my torque wrench for the spark plugs. Catch them on sale at Harbor Freight for $10-15.

Tighten oil filters like in the car, 3/4 turn after the gasket touches, then attach safety wire. 

Haven't needed to turn down / cut off / bend / grind any tools yet. But I do have two sets of extended reach needle nose pliers, straight and bent.

Just buy what you.need, when you need it.

[varlajo]

I have counted 93 different kinds of screws, 70 kinds of bolts (5 proprietary), and 51 kinds of nuts (4 proprietary) in my AF parts catalog. Al Mooney was a freak. 

 

[Hank]

8 hours ago, varlajo said:

I have counted 93 different kinds of screws, 70 kinds of bolts (5 proprietary), and 51 kinds of nuts (4 proprietary) in my AF parts catalog. Al Mooney was a freak. 

Are you saying he was screwy???    

[MikeOH]

15 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Anybody ever try one of these?

https://www.aircraft-tool.com/Detail?id=OILEASY1

 

I broke my CB mold and sprung for this, $50 more: https://www.aircraft-tool.com/search?qid=4427&keyword=oil+filter+torque+wrench

 

[Coachella Bravo]

42 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

I broke my CB mold and sprung for this, $50 more: https://www.aircraft-tool.com/search?qid=4427&keyword=oil+filter+torque+wrench

That's also what I use, works GREAT !

[Kelpro999]

1. Grabit pro screw extractor set.

2. DeWalt DCD703F1 XTREME™ 12V MAX Brushless Cordless 5-I’m in-1 Drill/Driver Kit

3. Articulating video scope 

4. Quality inch pound torque wrench 

5. wrenches and 1/4 drive sockets. Mostly 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2.

6. Kroil penetrating oil.

Can’t forget an inspection mirror 

Edited February 22 by Kelpro999

[Fly Boomer]

3 hours ago, MikeOH said:

I broke my CB mold and sprung for this, $50 more: https://www.aircraft-tool.com/search?qid=4427&keyword=oil+filter+torque+wrench

 

Are you happy with it?

[varlajo]

7 hours ago, Hank said:

Are you saying he was screwy???    

Nutty and bolty, too ))

[MikeOH]

6 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

Are you happy with it?

Very happy.  High quality and a made-exactly-for-the-job tool.  No messing with trying to get a torque wrench and socket behind the filter with no  room. Pre-set torque and works to remove the filter, too.

I paid $85 from Spruce when I bought it 6 years ago.  I'd pay $100 now, no question.

[cliffy]

YUP I use it also  Worth every penny.

Good mechanics buy good tools  Its a mind set

Start with a good base and you do good work.

Start off sloppy or cheap and that's what you produce.  

[jcolgan]

22 hours ago, cliffy said:

YUP I use it also  Worth every penny.

Good mechanics buy good tools  Its a mind set

Start with a good base and you do good work.

Start off sloppy or cheap and that's what you produce.  

Disagree.  
Granted, good tools make a job go quicker and are less likely to fail during use, so less likely to round a bolt or damage a part. 
But to say quality work can not be accomplished by a financially struggling but conscientious mechanic is not realistic.   Everyone has to start somewhere and some of the finest mechanics I know started off in a barn with old rusted tools and worked their way up over the years to Snap Ons as they progressed. 

Start off sloppy, usually going to produce bad results.

Start off cheap, can go either way.  With the proper motivation it can be just fine. 

[Yetti]

The Harbor Freight O2 sensor socket will work on the spark plugs with a bit of grinding.     Snap on 3/8 drive sockets work without grinding.

[M20F-1968]

On 2/24/2025 at 8:39 AM, jcolgan said:

Disagree.  
Granted, good tools make a job go quicker and are less likely to fail during use, so less likely to round a bolt or damage a part. 
But to say quality work can not be accomplished by a financially struggling but conscientious mechanic is not realistic.   Everyone has to start somewhere and some of the finest mechanics I know started off in a barn with old rusted tools and worked their way up over the years to Snap Ons as they progressed. 

Start off sloppy, usually going to produce bad results.

Start off cheap, can go either way.  With the proper motivation it can be just fine. 

I have collected many quality tools over the years of working on the plane during the rebuild and beyond.  Many of them are SnapOn bought on e-bay at discount prices. You need to have a keen eye on what is acceptable.  You will start to recognize good tools at discount prices that are essentially new.   You will also learn what imported brands are actually high quality.

The mechanic's work first of all is created in the mind of the mechanic, then comes the plan on how to perform the work.  The tools are just a means to an end.  But, you will find that the special job that requires a smaller, longer, modified, magnetized, or modified tool will make things easier.  It is best when you have taken a section of the airplane apart more than 2 or so times, and know what to, how to do it, and with what tools.  

John Breda