<VV> Rebuild II

[Stephen Upham]

Well, I finally got around to Plastigaging the new (used) crank.  I put 
a pair of gauges in each of the mains at the 7:00 and 1:00 positions of 
the bearings as you face the engine from the pulley side.  I followed 
the bolt tightening sequence per the shop manual and increased the lbs. 
of torque from 20-35-53 graduating in order.

On the crank shaft which was positioned to TDC I found the following 
readings from the front of the engine to the back.
Journal #1- 11:00 position (.001+ the width of the .003.5 part of the 
measure gauge, which I would assume means that I have less than .001 
clearance)
                         5:00                (.001)
                #2- 11:00                 (.015)
                         5:00                (.001)
                #3- 11:00                 (between .001 and .0015)
                         5:00                 (.001 + the width of the 
.015 part of the measure gauge)
                #4- 11:00                 (.001 + the width of the .002 
part of the measure gauge)
                         5:00                (.001 + the width of the 
.002 part of the measure gauge)

On the bearings:
LHS (left hand side.  All at 7:00 position)
#1-  .001  + the width of .0035 (approximately) part of the measure 
gauge)
#2-  .001
#3-  .001 + the width of .001 (approximately) part of the measure gauge)
#4-  .001 + the width of .0035 (approximately) part of the measure 
gauge)

RHS at the 1:00 position
#1- .001 + the width of .0035 (approximately) part of the measure gauge)
#2- .015
#3- .015 (actually slightly longer, but difficult to measure[1/32 of an 
inch?]
#4- .001 (actually slightly longer, but difficult to measure[1/32 of an 
inch?]

Something tells me not to use these (standard size) bearings, eh?  
Also, I'm feeling that I need to micrometer the crank as it seems (from 
these various widths) that it is out of round.  I don't have a 
micrometer nor have I ever used one, but Auto Zone says they have one 
for $30.  Does that sound reasonable, or would it likely be a POC 
(piece of crap) and thus useless?
I also have a set of rod bearings (also standard) that I haven't taken 
out of the box to Plastigage yet.  Would that be a waste of time 
knowing what I know now?

Stephen Upham
(strong contender for the '05 Ralphie Award [the award for the worst 
Corvair hard luck story] )