Personally, I use plastiguage on every engine I build, it's a nice addition to precision measuring devices since it's the only thing that can measure once everything is torqued together. However, I have met engine builders who will not use plastigauge under any circumstances. They rely soly on mics and snap gauges. What is everyone here using on your race engines?

 

Plastic gauge blows . Its a waste of time. And when you measure something with a mic its supposed to be torqued. For example when checking rods and main caps you install the bearings in rod or main and torque down to spec. do the main obviously in the block and the rod in a vise to hold it still. then measure with bore mic and reference off of the measurement you took off the the corresponding journal with the clamp style mic. the difference is your clearance. This is the only correct way of doing it. If you don't own these mics and do not understand the method I just explained I don't know how you would know what your true clearences are.

 

I plastigauge

 

But why It even states its just a rough measurement. Have you ever checked plastic gauge and then a real mic. These aren't the types of measurments that you can see with your eyes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ssc_thomas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I plastigauge </TD></TR></TABLE>Me, too.

 

IMO im not gonna rely on a thin string of plastic to determine if clearances are correct..it only takes one bad experience to realize its not worth it..so I just skip that step and use a micrometer and the dial bore gauge...it's the only way I will check clearances

 

People pay good money for our race motors. Would you want us to use Plastigauge? I don't think so.

only pic I have uploaded, but here's some of the stuff we use.

 

Does Mitutoyo plastigague work?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Arturbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does Mitutoyo plastigague work? </TD></TR></TABLE>

haha. free mititoyo plastigauge with every dial bore gauge and caliper purchase.

 

Micrometers and dial bore gauges! Actually you don't really have to do either, just use all GREEN bearings... j/k

 

Used to, but every motor we've ever used ACL berings in has plastigauged in spec. Not too worried about it.

Of course theres the people that use OEM berings and micrometers and dial bore gauges. Each to their own.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by exospeedAMcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">People pay good money for our race motors. Would you want us to use Plastigauge? I don't think so.

only pic I have uploaded, but here's some of the stuff we use.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Are those mitutoyo dial bore gauges?..if so, If I remember correctly they run for more than $500 a pop..the mics look like mitutoyo digital pieces...very nice

 

Magic comes from the magician, not the wand.

 

I used to use plastigauge when I was building motors with my friends and we were in high school and college. Then, later in life, I started using gauges and what a difference it is. Back then I didn't have a clue how to use a dial bore indicator but someone taught me how to use it. Since then we mic everything and use a dial bore gauge and what a difference it is. Now I can assemble a motor and be perfectly comfortable that everything is right.

All of you that use plastigauge will one day switch if you continue to build engines. It makes a major difference in just understanding what is going on when you build your engine. If anyone is local I will be happy to give you a quick lesson on how to use these gauges and then you can start to use them and learn on your own, it's really not so hard to do and you will be much happier with the results.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoostingSnail &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Are those mitutoyo dial bore gauges?..if so, If I remember correctly they run for more than $500 a pop..the mics look like mitutoyo digital pieces...very nice </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes all our gauges are Mitutoyo. I dont remember how much exactly we spent on al the gauges, but I think the mics ran about $150-300 each depending on the size. and theres 6 diff sizes we bought. The dial bore guages were I believe about the same and we have 4 of them used to measure specific parts so we dont have to re-calib everytime we measure diff things.

It was a good chunk of change to invest in these tools, I believe we've spent close to $5000-6000 on just Mitutoyo instruments. That **** added up, but our engine builders wanted it and if thats the way they feel they can build the best engines, then I back that up all the way. But its a small price to pay to be sure you are doing it right. Like Paisley said, its the assurance that the motors that leave your shop is done correct and the best way possible.

Obviously we use the tools to measure main and rod bearings. but we also do a double check on the bore size of each block for correct bore and hone. These tools are good thing to have for an engine builder especially its the final step of the build. Machine shops do check their bore after the machining, but its a good idea to have another check before the block is put together by the engine builder. With the volume of blocks that we build, you just cant assume each one comes out the way you specified it. Key is DOUBLE CHECK.

There's nothing like a crank that turns smooth like butter.

 

Oh ya, and try to save up for Brand new Gauges. We have had colleagues that have purchased used gauges and have had some that were totally off and unfixable. Especially with Precision tools, you need something that is accurate and reliable.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by exospeedAMcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh ya, and try to save up for Brand new Gauges. We have had colleagues that have purchased used gauges and have had some that were totally off and unfixable. Especially with Precision tools, you need something that is accurate and reliable. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree 100%

Mitotoyo, Brown & Sharp and even Sunnen make some really nice, precision measuring tools. We use mostly Mitutoyo. They are great and extremely accurate. Plastigauge is for people that either cannot afford good measuring equipment or that just do a little building as a hobby. Any serious race engine assembly shop should NOT use platigauge.

But that is just my opinion.

 

Mitutoyo is good stuff.

But the more affordable import stuff can be really good as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

But the more affordable import stuff can be really good as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

examples?

 

I'll take a pic of my spring tester with a $10 chinese dial indicator for measure spring travel.

 

I used plastigauge and OEM bearings

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'll take a pic of my spring tester with a $10 chinese dial indicator for measure spring travel.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha, I have the same thing. $6.00 harbor freight dial gauge on a $1000.00 Rimac

 

How did you know I had a Rimac?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How did you know I had a Rimac?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because you and I have the same taste, good tools and equipment, and there is nothing better than a Rimac spring tester

 

I use plastigauge on my own personal "play motors".