<VV> Engine noise question - sorry, long

[AeroNed@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/20/2004 8:21:43 PM Central Standard Time, 
ChiefTAM@aol.com writes:
I have NO idea of what "plastigage" is, nor have I ever seen 
it used or read about it in the reading I have done in the Corvair manuals I 
have. (maybe I missed it) 
Todd,

I'm not trying to flame anyone, especially when it comes to missing measuring 
the size of the rod bearings. (my first Corvair engine rebuild also suffered 
failed rod bearings, I purchased the crank, rods and bearing from a vendor and 
assumed that they were properly sized, they weren't).

Plastigauge is a very small diameter plastic thread. There are different 
sizes for the different clearances to be measured. Each size is a different color. 
A small length of the plastigauge is placed on one side of the parts to be 
measured, in your case, on the rod journal on the crank. The parts are assembled 
and torqued then disassembled. It everything was done properly, the thread 
was crushed. The width of the plastigauge indicates the clearance between the 
parts. The plastigauge jacket has a gauge to read the clearance. If the 
clearance is OK, the plastigauge is cleaned off both parts and assembled for good.

This procedure is outlined in the Shop manual in the inspection section. In 
the '65 shop manual it's on page 6-53 - 6-54. There are some good pictures that 
show exactly how you use the Plastigauge.

Assembling the rods to the crank is a real PITA. I plastigauged the rods with 
the crank out of the block. It is not too difficult if you have someone to 
help hold the crank when you torqued the rod nuts. Be careful not to let the 
rods rotate on the crank while the plastigage is in, this messes up the reading.

Hope this helps,
Ned