How to use Plastigage

Oil Clearances

[@thehilltopworkshop]

There are as many ways to build engines as there are engine builders. I'm a micrometer guy myself, but I'll use plastigauge as well. Keep making great videos, Lou. 🤠👍

[@lesgaal4017]

Mate you are 100%right I've never used plasti-guage building engines, you can't go wrong with precision measuring tools.

[@scottsquires6186]

Plastage is not as good but it definitely works pretty well it not perfect

[@ryanpitt4633]

I've been watching you since I was a teenager I'm glad to see your still here to help

[@lordsauto]

Been a fan for a long time. U we're supposed to build me a motor but somehow didn't work out. Love ur vids Thanks Kerry

[@Myvintageiron7512]

Sorry!

[@lordsauto]

@@Myvintageiron7512 are u still up for it? I'm interested..

[@garageforcerestos]

could you do a video where you compare the measurement from the plasti gauge and the measurement tools?

[@HK47Elite]

Got my crank back and my machinist told me it was a 10/10 grind when I was leaving. Came to find out it was 20/20 thanks to plastiguage lol. So better than nothing in my book! I am going to buy measurement tools for my next build though

[@Myvintageiron7512]

Yep always double check sometimes busy shops get mixed up

[@19blue58]

Over here in Australia GMH Workshop manuals gives a complete overview of how to use Plastiguage in rebuilding Holden and Chevrolet engines. A side note the photos of the Small Bock 350 shows a 4bolt main Big Block Chevrolet engine never a stock engine in the holdens of the Era

[@andrewwasson6153]

If I have a crank, block and rods that I’ve just gotten back from a reputable machine shop who have ground and polished the crank and I’ve got a set of quality bearings then it should go together without any issues. Many shops that grind and polish cranks, supply bearings which makes it just that much more promising. If I can’t beg, borrow or steal a calibrated micrometer and a calibrated bore gauge, Plastigauge is my sanity check.

[@manitoublack]

best way to check journal taper? Plastigauge

[@rickyfulks889]

It would b interesting to c a comparison with bore gauge to plastigauge

[@nuvey7939]

My problem with plastigage is that it requires me to use my subjective estimations to determine the clearance. I use it on lawnmowers and shit, but you'll never see me using it on an engine I care about. I agree 100%, it's better than not using anything, but only a little, because you're still guessing. Buy the tools if you're rebuilding engines. If you aren't, take it to a machine shop and they will do it for you

[@Spokavriel]

Wouldn't be surprised if this is already stated. But you really need to say to clean off all the plastigauge because it measured it by filling your clearance gap. I can see someone thinking because it wasn't said its ok to skip thinking the oil would wash it away in operation or it would somehow break down to a lubricant.

[@BlueMacGyver]

Great explanation!

[@amiabledave50]

Good video..

[@V8freaks]

Hi! I have a question in general: When I do check my crankshaft bearing clearances (torqueing them down and measuring without a crank in the block) can I re-use those bearings when I finally mount the crank? Or do I have to buy a whole new set of crank and rod bearings? My friend said after toqueing down crank caps and rod caps the bearings get crushed and cannot be re-used. On the internet I found only one reference which said that they only get crushed "elastically", so they would do get back into their origin shape after loosening the caps.... Marlon

[@one62projects]

Can the gage work be done on all the bearings at the same time

[@abdouliejallow7642]

since you dont mention how much inch clearance is good or bad it will be hard to understand the whole video to avoid mistakes in rebuilding your engine...u need to explain the effect of too much or too little engine clearance and how damaging it can do on an engine

[@JTsMechanicShop5748]

What oil pressure do u get with these bearing clearance with a stock oil pump and at what RPM

[@markw95]

Plastiguage is a comparative measurement I.e. not entirely accurate, so I agree with you, use accurate measuring tools

[@ucnhtmenow1]

I roasted the crank because i wanted to make sure nothing was binging but it still looks like yours does. It's not deformed, or so it seems, from rotating the crank. Whoops

[@jacjumpin7471]

1965 High School Auto Tech class Plastigage was used to check bearing wear with motor in car Not clearence on a rebuild

[@1959triumph]

How do you increase the clearence if you measure it and it's not big enough

[@Fizzer99]

get smaller bearings.

[@Myvintageiron7512]

@@Fizzer99 change to a different bearing

[@mrctuned2844]

Most bearing manufacturers will make a standard bearing, one that is .001" oversized, and a set that is .001" undersized. You can mix these bearing halves to get the correct clearance.

[@bigstuff52]

Thanks for posting..

[@Myvintageiron7512]

You bet!

[@abdouliejallow7642]

in the process of installing the plastigage u need to to do off camera

[@garagesociety9907]

Great.

[@ee-dy2xh]

It’s called plastigage bro. Y’all doin too much

[@nickgallo9129]

The video scarcely shows what he is doing. Does he useva rid besring in between the rod cap and the journal?