Quick one cos I just don’t know snd struggling with reading 50,000 threads on the subject.
What colour plastigauge do I need to buy to check these shells, never used it before as I’m a crank shell measuring virgin
?
Mum will be chuffed after all these years
Never had to do it before, green or red?
Don’t laugh!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Beware of cheap Green as it might be the wrong size range.
Hope it helps but this is a reprint from Ash when I was doing my crank on the 400.
.Hi Ted ... yes the GREEN is still red but for small clearsnce bearings (typically 1 to 2 thou")
You put crankshaft in upside down top half ... place strip across journal (see below about using oil ..I use smear of silicone grease) then carefully place crankcase lower on top case and clamp with main bolts to correct torque... hope this helps ... Best wishes Ash.
28 | © MAHLE 2018
Bolt Boots, Bearing Guard and
Plastigage
Clevite® Plastigage
Plastigage was designed as a final check of
total vertical oil clearance during reassembly. It
was not meant as a replacement for properly
measuring crankshaft journals, housing
bores or bearing dimensions before engine
reassembly with accurate mics and gauges.
To properly use Plastigage during reassembly,
readings should be taken on the bearing cap
half shell while the weight of the crankshaft or
piston and rod assembly is supported by the
other half shell.
Place a small amount of oil on the crankshaft
journal only where the Plastigage will be placed
and wipe any excess oil off with a clean rag.
This will result in a more accurate reading by
preventing the PLASTIGAGE from sticking to
the journal.
Place a strand of Plastigage across the length
of the journal parallel to the crankshaft.
Set the cap in place and tighten bolts to the
proper OEM torque specification. NOTE: if the
crankshaft is moved at this point it will smear
the Plastigage, resulting in inaccurate readings.
Carefully remove the cap and measure the
crushed Plastigage using the graduations
printed on the package. Measure the crush
along the entire length of the Plastigage, noting
the highs and lows for proper clearance.
After you have made your measurements,
carefully remove the crushed Plastigage from
the components without scratching the bearing
or the journal.
Clevite® Plastigage is available in four different
sizes to check total vertical oil clearance on
connecting rod and main bearings. Each
package has a measuring scale printed in
inches and millimeters. Strips are color coded
for easy size identification and are soluble in oil.
MPG1 .001”—.003” (.025 —.075mm) Green*
MPR1 .002”—.006” (.050 —.15mm) Red*
MPB1 .004”—.009” (.10 —.23mm) Blue*
MPY1 .009”—.020” (.23 —.50mm) Yellow*
(*Sold in quantities of 12 strips only)
Bolt boots, bearing guard and plastigage
