basic engine assembly questions

[Super Bleeder!!]

Is plastigage still "the" way to get a fairly accurate oil clearance? Or can i just borrow a digital caliper and do some arithmatic?

Rods: when torquing the caps, do most of you go by the torque rating, bolt stretch, or both?

Front case: Brand new oem; should i take the oil pump cover off and clearance the gears or are they usually within spec? I've also heard of people deburring the gear edges, whats the reasoning behind that?


i was also wondering if anyone had a decent set of machinist guages so i can check my block now that i finally got it back. i just want to make sure the bores aren't tapered or anything else drastic.

[Swifty1638]

plastigage works just fine. I measure the crank and rods with a digital caliper tool though. It works better, for more accurate info, i think. I still tighten everything down with plastigage though, just to double-check for tolerances.

-A. Swift

[Swifty1638]

as or the rods, i toque them all down to like half of the way, then go back, and go the rest of the way, similar to the way you torque a head down. I go by the specs, not by what the part can take.

-A. Swift

[Matt D.]

I've never heard of doing anything with the oil pump. I have a brand new case and gears in my hands and they don't look like I should have to do anything with them. It's up to you obviously. I'm guessing they beburr the gear edges do they don't scratch the casing which would be putting aluminum filings into the oil.

[JET]

The digital caliper won't tell you crap, use plastigage in 3 different spots, then average the clearance. You need a bore guage if you want to do it by measurements, but most people won't have one.

[niterydr]

Bore gauge/mic's and rod bolt stretch method.
But we have all those tools here.

[Super Bleeder!!]

can i bring my block over to your shop swanny? :)

i'll even buy one of those turned down balance shafts!

[GVR-4579]

+1 on not using a mic, mine reads a bit different between ID and OD and it confused the hell outta me one day

[niterydr]

+1 on not using a mic, mine reads a bit different between ID and OD and it confused the hell outta me one day
Buy a good mic or learn how to read it.

[GVR-4579]

it is good, and its digital but it read off like .002 between ID and OD so it was throwing off the oil clearances