Posted by jdemaris on January 02, 2010 at 09:25:28 from (67.142.130.44):
I got a surprise this morning. I finally ran out of Plastigauge (for measuing engine bearing clearances). I don't think I've actually bought any new for 40 years. Always had lots of it laying around. A little bit lasts a long time.
So, I've got a Ferguson TO35 apart and I'm feeling cheap. I had to pull the sleeves out due to coolant leaking into the oil pan. But the main bearings look fine (Continental Z134 gas engine). Normally I'd just stick new ones in, but for $50-$60 a set, I want to use the old ones as long as they're as tight as they ought to be.
I went down to NAPA and asked for Plastigauge, and the counter guy gave me the deer-in-the-headlights look. He had no idea what I was talking about. So, I searched through his engine parts book and found it. No longer stocked and no longer available through NAPA.
So, I then went to Advance Auto and got the same response.
Now I'm wondering, what the heck do people use now to check main bearings when the crank is still in there? Or, isn't it popular to check anymore? Rods I can mike pretty easy, but not the mains when sitting in a main-saddle.
I looked around on-line and found several places selling it - but none available locally at big auto parts stores.
Years back, we'd often use special .001 or .002 undersize bearings for tractors with slightly worn cranks. Some came right from Deere Co. We had to use Plastigauge to be sure. Now ???
I guess now I'll have to order on-line and wait. But, it makes me wonder what local shops are doing if nobody wants this stuff anymore? If it was still being used, I suspect the autoparts stores would have it.
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