plastigauging rod bearings?

[a4wdhybrid]

not too sure where to post this and thought evan might know or a few other ppl might as well...

so my question..how exactly do i do this? plastigauge rod bearings?

i realize w/ a plastigauge..but what exactly would i be doing? putting both halfs of the bearing around the crank and then plastigauging? and what am i checking for? clearance between the bearing and the crank?

im thinking about trying to swap out the rods this weekend...this is the only part im unsure about

i feel more than confident in getting the head off and back on and im more than half way i can get the oil pan off and back on w/o any issues

and i know how to check the ring gap and file them down if needed and i have the specs for that as well..saw it in the bentley last night and i also saw it posted online

anything else im missing?

[pinky]

the plastigauge is a small piece of plastic.. i guess kinda like a string...

you lay it b/w the bearing and the crank and tighten everything down... it crushes the plastic "string" and you measure the width using a little scale... basically you measure the clearance based on how much it mashes the little string thing..

[pinky]

http://www.fordmuscle.com/fundamentals/plastiguage/index.shtml

[a4wdhybrid]

i know what plastigauges are..i just didnt know the process..ill read over that link..thanks

[a4wdhybrid]

ahh..that seems easy enough

now i just need to search through the bentley and see if it has the tolerances in there

[a4wdhybrid]

found it..now i just need some plastigauge i guess..oh..and some piston rings, head gasket, and bolts..and coolant..

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/k0mpresd/bentley_shot.jpg

[Couga]

I think I have some left over from putting the rods and mains in the 383 Magnum( Now .40 over with forged flat tops) I'll see if I have any your welcome to it.:)

[a4wdhybrid]

i bought some..thanks though

[a4wdhybrid]

do i have to put a piece of plastigage under the top bearing shell and bottom bearing shell and measure the tolerance for both? or just put a piece under the bottom bearing shell, put the cap on, torque, remove the cap, and then check that clearance?

thats a stock headgasket underneath all that stuff

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/k0mpresd/motor_parts.jpg

[evan@absolute]

one piece of gauge between the crank and bearing surface( the space the oil will be filling). Torque. Loosen. Compare gauge to chart. CLEAN gauge off of bearing or crank. Repeat until all 4 are done.

[a4wdhybrid]

cool..thats what i was thinking but then i thought since its a 2 piece bearing maybe id have to gage each piece

makes my life a lot easier just having to do the one..like plastigaging on my back is going to be easy to start w/ :(

[evan@absolute]

cool..thats what i was thinking

makes my life a lot easier just having to do the one..like gagging on my back is going to be easy to start w/ :(

:D

[a4wdhybrid]

i almost like it :D

30-32psi here i come ;)

[pinky]

are you done yet?

[a4wdhybrid]

havent started yet

i would have..but dont have a second car to drive

[a4wdhybrid]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b301/k0mpresd/motor_parts.jpg
ok..ive got all the stuff in this pic

rods
rod bearings
head gasket
head bolts
assembly lube
piston rings

and i was going to buy a set of adjuster gaskets, the metal gasket and the half moon, for the chain tensioner in the head because i know they like to leak and mine has 100k miles on it..oh yea..and some g12

anyone else have any suggestions on anything else i should get? i think i need a new chain tensioner, i *think* thats whats getting noisy when the oil gets a little beyond normal temp or say normal temp for a hot day..i dont think its the pump since the oil light never comes on and the valve train seems quiet..and its not like i run the car hard or anything..metal chain, plastic guide, and me driving..hmm...i guess i should go ahead and get one now before its too late...

i think im going to be able to do this @ audi...start friday afternoon and all day saturday..shouldnt be too bad since ill have a lift and access to a shit load of tools

comments/suggestions always welcome

[a4wdhybrid]

should i take a hone to the cylinders or should they be ok?

[evan@absolute]

I would bet they would be ok but if you have a ball hone I would use it. The ball hone takes off very little metal where the 3 or 4 stone hone is a beast and can really change the shape quickly.

[a4wdhybrid]

so would it be worth it for me to run to the parts store this afternoon before i start tearing the car apart and see if they have a hone or just say eff it and tear it apart?

[evan@absolute]

Seeing as you've been beating it hard(:wanker: )I would try and get one. I wouldn't let it hold up the project though.

[pinky]

do you have some oil? i didnt see it on the list.. may need that...