Which measuring tools for 3.0 engine refresh
 

Hi team,
I've come across a few articles that describe what tools are required for working on your engine. I will be hopefully splitting my case this weekend and am after some guidance on which measuring tools I should get for my needs.

My understanding is that I will need the following:

Dial Bore Gauge - 50mm to 150mm
For measuring Cylinders and bearing clearance, out of roundness, etc.

Dial Indicator - I have a Mitutoyo .01 (513-404) for adjusting timing, backlash, etc.

Micrometer 75mm to 100m for measuring crankshaft

Is there anything else that I would need?
My heads and cams will be sent off to relevant shops to be measured, etc.

Do I need any smaller micrometers for anything else?

I have the Bentley guide which obviously runs through all the specs for each component however it doesn't specifically advise (that i can see) which micrometers are required.

Also, i understand that you can get away with setting the 'stretch' of the rod bolts with torque, instead of utilising a stretch tester. From what I've read, that point is up for debate.

Appreciate your help.

Adam

If you intend to use the normal z-block tool for setting cam timing, you'll probably need a different dial indicator. It doesn't look like that Mitutoyo will fit.
I would buy two z-blocks and two of the HF digital indicators, so you can set both cams without moving the tool back and forth from cylinder 1 to 4. Note that when i used the HF tool, i needed to buy an adapter off ebay for the plunger, as the thread pitch did not match the Sir tool extension.

Dial bore gauge
 

Look into the dial bore gauge - I didn't use one as I found info indicating that getting solid, consistent readings can be challenging. Meanwhile, my cylinders were relatively new / low mileage (less than 30k miles), and the 3.0 block isn't known to distort.

I'll second the z-block and dial indicator - I used a Harbor Freight digital gauge w/z-block to set the cam timing. The digital took some of the head work out of the process.

Also a good torque wrench (a measuring tool) is a necessity.

May want a good straight edge to confirm you have correct cam gear spacers.

A cheap digital caliper is also handy (measuring head stud depth etc.).

Stretch vs. torque is debatable... I went with stretch.

I also used plastigauge to check bearing clearances.

Good luck, Gordo

If you need a torque wrench you might want to look at getting a "Torque Measurement Adapter" adaptor instead. I was in the market for a new torque wrench and was looking for some thing that was digital and certified +/- 2%. Ended up with a AC delco unit and it came with the certification papers (it was actually with in 1% across the board). I found it much easier to use than click type wrench and much cheaper the digital torque wrench with similar accuracy.
Tools I use:
Dial indicator (I have a couple analog and digital) use for cam timing, TDC, valve adjustment (much better than feeler gauge), rod stretch etc
bore gauge
Multiple sizes of micrometers from small for valve stems to large for piston skirt
calipers for lots of things including setting up chain sprockets
Feeler gauge set Ring side gap other stuff
There are also many special tools needed for assembly as well.

thanks,

john

Thanks for that. Now that I look at the dial indicator properly, I think you are right about not having the right access. I also bought an average dial indicator from ebay, which gets reasonable reviews for accuracy. It came with one of the magnetic bases with arms attached. Would that be more suitable?

Thanks for the tips John. The digital torque adaptor is a great one! I had my eye on one here in australia which is about $70 and I think it could be good used in conjunction with an actual click torque wrench to combat paranoia! :)
There's also more expensive ones available for about $300 i think, which are both digital torque adaptor and torque angle gauge in one.

I went ahead and purchased the bore gauge for piece of mind... it's an ebay chinese jobby also, but these also seem to get reasonable reviews across the net. I'm sure they're nothing on the expensive versions.