Other than having a machine shop or friend handle these kind of things, I would really like to get a decent set for my own use.

What kind of tools do you guys use to measure crank mains, and journals? And what about interior dimensions such as conrods?

I know the tool of choice would be a micrometer, and i guess a dial bore gauge, but i havent found a bore gauge that goes small enough for con rods.

Any suggestions for the right tools for the job i need done? And any good brands or sets? Not looking to spend $500+, But i realize a good, accurate tool that i can trust will cost me a pretty penny. Do you guys have any favorite brands or sets that are great for the money that you trust your engines with?

Thanks guys!

 

I bought a cheapie set of micrometers years ago for about $400. they measure down to the .0001" (Critical. Dont waste your money on the .0005" or .001" graduations)...
They do the job just fine for me and most importantly I can stay pretty consistent with them.

For a bore guage, I found a Mitutoyo for around $300 used...Youll need one that can measure rods,mains,and bores...Also stay with the .0001" graduations. Anything larger isnt really gonna work...
I also have a Matco cylinder bore guage that has served me well. I think I paid about $300 as well for it...
And get a good table mount vise. Something solid so you can be super steady when your zero-ing your mics/bore guages...
IMO...
Central is OK
Starrett is GOOD
Mitutoyo is GOOD
Mac/Snap-on is pretty good even though precision instruments not their specialty. A good dial indicator can make or break a tool..
Wait for deals to come around. Talk to your local machine shop. They have industry fliers that have all kinds of neat tools. Sometimes machinists upgrade and sell their old stuff cheap. Good luck!

 

Mitutoyo is the way to go. I work in a machine shop and noticed you can get some incredible deals when stuff goes on sale. its rare, but it happens. about half the shop jumped on one offer about a year ago for a 1", 2" and 3" mitutoyo outside micrometer kit for like 160$ regularly over twice that.

anyways if your just building a couple engines here or there don't worry about getting something accurate to .0001. Remember that you can use your eyes to interpolate if the line is halfway between .401 and .402. repeatability is still going to be within .0001 or .0002 for almost all micrometers. For most setups your going to be able to check that your clearances are close to your target and be done with it. If your building a lot of engines, then consider investing in the better tools.

also, you dont need to go with a dial bore gauge for checking bores. they make other tools that will take the diameter which can be measured with a micrometer or they even make inside micrometers too (although i wouldn't recommend those for engine building)

for a dial bore gauge, if you go that route, i WOULD go with something that will give results down to .0001 just because they work differently than a micrometer. the precision of some of the cheaper tools isn't very good. if you get a bore gauge kit you will get attachments for the end which will let you measure a wide range of bores.