Main cap clearances

[MI6TA]

Time to plastigauge, what am I aiming for? .002 - .003?

[BIG CAT]

Main bearing clearance?

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[Ryan Stout]

About right. Mines around .002-.0025 iirc

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[Featherburner]

Plastigauge gives a vague inaccurate reading.

[MI6TA]

Main bearing clearance?

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Yeah that's what I meant lol. Too many beers.

and @Featherburner what you talking about?

[DMBlack]

Featherburner gives a vague inaccurate post.

Plastigauge is not the best way to measure bearing clearance but it has worked many times on many engines. I am not an engine builder so take this with a grain of salt.

The abbreviated way is to install bearing in the mains without the crankshaft. Torque the bolts/studs to proper spec and measure inside bearing diameter. Then measure crankshaft journal and do the math to get the actual clearance.

Again I am NOT an engine builder, but that is how I understand the correct way to do it. I am sure someone will correct me soon.

[noice]

No that is the correct way to do it. You do need accurate measuring tools though.

[MI6TA]

Very accurate measuring tools indeed. I'll see if pops has tools that exact but I doubt it. Plastigauge will be the way we end up doing. So .002 to .0025 is within the area I'm shooting for?

[Featherburner]

Plastigauge is not the best way to measure bearing clearance but it has worked many times on many engines. I am not an engine builder so take this with a grain of salt.

The abbreviated way is to install bearing in the mains without the crankshaft. Torque the bolts/studs to proper spec and measure inside bearing diameter. Then measure crankshaft journal and do the math to get the actual clearance.

Again I am NOT an engine builder, but that is how I understand the correct way to do it. I am sure someone will correct me soon.

Nothing vague or inaccurate about my post. Have you ever compared actual measurements to plastigauge? I have. If you are OK with a plastigauge reading of "about" .0025 but could actually be .001 either way of that, be my guest. But for me, it was worth it to purchase the proper mics and bore gauges and learn how to use them.

[DMBlack]

I agree that is the proper way to get it done. How about instead of just saying that is not the best way of doing it, explain the correct way? That could possibly stop some confusion and be a little more helpful.