Engine Building Tools
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 93
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From: michigan
Car: 1991 camaro rs
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: auto
Engine Building Tools
I need to get a few engine building tools and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on where to buy or what brands.
Digital caliper
Micromoter
Dial bore guage
Was looking on ebay and they have 6 inch digital calipers for like $10....seems cheap and dont know if i should get em or not.
Digital caliper
Micromoter
Dial bore guage
Was looking on ebay and they have 6 inch digital calipers for like $10....seems cheap and dont know if i should get em or not.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
Re: Engine Building Tools
Ebay has some great deals. You can probably get a micrometer set (good down to .0001"), and from 0-1" up to the 5-6" sizes for under $100 on ebay.
I paid $30 for a digital caliper locally. Harbor freight might be a good place for a few of these.
You have a piston ring expander, ring compressor, set of feeler gauges, dial gauge with stand, etc?
I paid $30 for a digital caliper locally. Harbor freight might be a good place for a few of these.
You have a piston ring expander, ring compressor, set of feeler gauges, dial gauge with stand, etc?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Car: 1991 camaro rs
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: auto
Re: Engine Building Tools
i have already feeler guages, dial indicator with magnetic base, cam degree wheel, valve spring compressor both on and off car and then a list of other stuff i am slowly gathering. I know what i need, just these are next 3 items up on the list.
One question on micromoters i have is up to what size do i really need to assemble a small block chevy. I notice they have 0-1" , 1-2", 2-3" etc. SO what im asking is can i just get one or 2 or do i need all the sizes?
One question on micromoters i have is up to what size do i really need to assemble a small block chevy. I notice they have 0-1" , 1-2", 2-3" etc. SO what im asking is can i just get one or 2 or do i need all the sizes?
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From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Engine Building Tools
2-3" for measuring crank journals and bearing clearances, 3-4" for measuring 305 bores and pistons, 4-5" for measuring 350 bores and pistons.
A set of 6 to measure from 0-6" is usually cheaper than buying a few individual ones.
A set of 6 to measure from 0-6" is usually cheaper than buying a few individual ones.
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iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,763
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Car: 1982 Trans-Am
Engine: 355 w/ ported 416s
Transmission: T10, hurst shifter
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, true-trac, 3.73
Re: Engine Building Tools
Well, lets see
2-3" is used for crankshaft main and rod bearings
3-4" would be used with a bore gauge to check 305 bore size
4-5" (same as above but for 350+ bores)
0-1 is good for lots of small parts. Bearing thickness, brake rotor thickness/runout, etc.
1-2" .... I can't think of anything off the top of my head..?
5-6" .... again....
Usually the full set would be cheaper than buying just the ones you need. Technically you may only need the 2-3" at this point, if your bore gauge has it's own dial on it.
Personally I trusted my machinists abilities, and just did a check with plasti-gauge on the journals. I don't own any micrometers yet. I used feeler gauges for deck height, rod side play, crank end play etc.
I only bought my dial indicator with stand for the rear end, my engine was already assembled by that point...
The digital caliper however is used LOADS. Usually .001" accuracy is good enough for anything, except bearing clearances.
----------
Jinx!
Damn Apeiron, I gotta type faster here...
2-3" is used for crankshaft main and rod bearings
3-4" would be used with a bore gauge to check 305 bore size
4-5" (same as above but for 350+ bores)
0-1 is good for lots of small parts. Bearing thickness, brake rotor thickness/runout, etc.
1-2" .... I can't think of anything off the top of my head..?
5-6" .... again....
Usually the full set would be cheaper than buying just the ones you need. Technically you may only need the 2-3" at this point, if your bore gauge has it's own dial on it.
Personally I trusted my machinists abilities, and just did a check with plasti-gauge on the journals. I don't own any micrometers yet. I used feeler gauges for deck height, rod side play, crank end play etc.
I only bought my dial indicator with stand for the rear end, my engine was already assembled by that point...
The digital caliper however is used LOADS. Usually .001" accuracy is good enough for anything, except bearing clearances.
----------
Jinx!
Damn Apeiron, I gotta type faster here...
Last edited by Sonix; Sep 12, 2007 at 03:27 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Detroit, MI
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 350,Dart Heads,Weiand In,Roller Cam
Transmission: 2400-Stall, 700R4 w/ Kit
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.42 disc (I wish)
Re: Engine Building Tools
And a book with all your specifications
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