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Old 11-20-2007   #10 (permalink)
opelspyder
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After installing plastigauge

After I place a strip of plastigauge on the main journal, You install the correct bearing cap onto the crank with the new bearing half installed on the cap. I do this to all the mains, and then I torque them all down to the factory specs stated in the FSM. After they are torqued, I do not rotate the crank!!!! I simply remove the caps and I will see the plastic strip has been squashed. The package that plastigauge comes in is actually the measuring tool you will use to see what your measurements are on the crank to bearing play. It should be between .001-.003, but I like to see closer to the .001 range for stock. It is important to have some gap, as oil needs to be able float between the crank and bearings. I ended up with .002-.0015 which I felt was suitable. I simply looked at the package ruler (one side metric, one side standard) And I place it up to the squished plastic and find the thickness it is closest too. The wider the better here, if you do not squish it very much, you may need to have the crank cut to the next size bearings for a better clearance.
Keith
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File Type: jpg Engine Plastigauge 006 (Small).jpg (37.0 KB, 110 views)
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