Plastigage has been around for a long time. Plastigage has been tested by every Engineering Method known. Plastigage is accurate to within 0.0001 (One - Ten thousandth)!!!

A set of Outside Mic's is going to run you upwards of $125.00 or more.
An envelope of Plastigage is going to set you back $3.00 (3-Bucks - Max)

If you are only doing this job once; why would you spend good money for an instrument to check the Tolerance of a Bearing where the degree of accuracy needed is well within a Hundred-Thousandths, when a 3-Dollar Pack of Plastigage will give me a proven accurate measurement to within 1/10,000 ?

 

Do it with plastigage, it doesn't make a difference to me- its just that most engine builders I have talked to prefer to mic it. I didn't say it doesn't work- just that you can get a more complete picture using a mic set.

I also didn't say he had to go buy a mic set- I know they're stupid expensive; but he could possibly borrow the mic he needs, or if he was having a machine shop do some work (ie if the rod needs resized or the crank journal needs work)- then they will use a mic to check it anyways.

 

Just so we clear the air on this. You said: "Considered pretty ghetto".
By who?
Not the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Not by NASCAR Crew Chiefs.
Not by NASA.
Not by Boeng.
Not by renoun Repair Manual Publishers: Chilton, Mitchell, Haynes, Robert Bentley Publications.

Ghetto? No. Not ghetto.
The Tool is ingenious!
I'd like to be the guy who invented Plastigauge!

I'll bet it's a lot of fun jumping into the Ocean off the back of his Yacht!

 

I didn't mean to offend you so much, chill out man. I overexaggerated a bit by using too harsh a term. I work at what amounts to a big machine shop where the mic is the king- hence why it is by far my preferred choice.

However, I still bet if you gave any true engine builder the choice between plastigage and a mic, that they would still probably choose the mic.

 

Okay, we don't need to know whose is bigger...Plastiguage works well and a mic set works well. (I know plastiguage from personal experience, but have never used a mic set) I tend to agree that the amateur engine build could use plastiguage and run that motor for many years, and professionals have used plastiguage for years, but with everything, there is always a different way of doing it. Both methods get the job done. You both are valued, well contributing members of the MCF and differ in opinion...That's okay. Lets get back to the original post: I agree with bumpin', if you can wait and do the whole bottom end, it may (or may not) save time and money in the long run. Good luck, kid and keep us updated. P.S. Don't slack in school work-that's the gateway to your future. )

 

thanks guys! and thanks rys...yea ill update you guys...and im not totally rebuilding the engine. im just trying to get it running so i can drive it for a little while and then sell it...maybe and get a better condition car. maybe even go for stick if its within my budget. and i think ill just use plastigage cuz ive never heard of a mic before. but thanks anyways. and yea...thats my concern now because if i spun the bearing..something else might be wrong to...like the crank and all that. so i dunno..i think ill just get it running for now...pass emissions...and just drive it and sell it. or maybe keep it..but ill keep an update

 

If you're gonna keep it- I bet you'll kick yourself in the butt later if you only rebuild bits and pieces.
One other alternative- have you thought about trying to find a cheap shorty to throw in (I dunno if you even said what engine it was)- especially if your just gonna sell it; its not gonna make a difference how high the mileage is as long as it runs and is cheap. I'm just thinking that there is a reason that bearing spun, and that it could take more than just a $15 rod bearing set to get it running again.
Have you torn into it yet to see how bad the damage is?

 

yea i have...its really clean actually...and only one of the bearings are bad from what i can see...the rod clamp thing moves if you shake it back and forth..others dont do that..so i know for sure one is bad for sure...but the guy who sold me car gave me all 8 bearings to replace...all brand new.. and i looked inside and its really clean..the guy took care of it well...and its a 305 high output engine...could be a 350...some tell me its a 350 some tell me its a 305

 

ok i got some plastiguage and it was 7 bucks not 3. which was what i was expecting so i brought 3 bucks but fortunately i brought my dad along and he lent me some money lol. but yea...i got that..gotta read how to use it and ill probably start tomorrow.

 

hey guys haha...i finally got around to doing the job...engine is ready to put in. i just need to get the driveshaft and the tranny aligned so i can connect the driveshaft again. and then...im hoping this baby will run.