how do you guys prefer to disconnect the caps from the beams (since they are dowelled)? i'm trying not to smear the plastigauge by moving the rods. (i wish that i had longer studs without caps which i could thread in and tap.)

 

take a plastic, rubber, anthing other than metal, hammer and tap as you pull up on the cap. It takes a little persistance to get some of those caps off.

 

Yea, I use those $1 rubber hammers and whack at it until there's enough room for me to slide a small flathead screwdriver in to lightly pull it off.

 

i try not to hammer on the rod bolts, use a pair if big channel locks instead