Stretch Gauge - Custom Build
 

Has anyone built a custom Stretch Gauge? In looking at the pictures of various gauges, it appears that all I need would be the 'C clamp fixture' portion. I already have the dial indicator, and I am just wondering if this is an area that I should really invest in another 'dial-type tool.'

My question above might be silly, but heck pls pls pls......easy on me. ;) ;)

I replied to your thread in the Tech Forum.

Cheers

It depends on how precise you can make the tool.

The ARP Stretch gauge is around $150 and is accurate, according to ARP, to 0.0005" (all right, enough of the English measurements on this BBS) or 0.0127mm. An inexpensive micrometer, such as the Fowler I received for Christmas, is accurate to 0.01mm.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1170347976.jpg

The specification for, using my own example, the 2,0 liter ARP rod bolts calls for a stretch of 0.0094" (there's that damned English measurement again, even the English don't use it anymore!) which is 0.23876mm.

So ask yourself, "Self, can I reliably construct a micrometer with a c-clamp that will be accurate to the hundredth of a millimeter?" If the answer is yes, and you can repeatably measure, using gage blocks, changes in dimensions of that magnitude, then build away.

There's no way I could do that for $150.

Now, that's the Yankee way to do it. The GERMAN way is the following:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1170348040.jpg

Expensive? Hell yes! But nice, no?

I actually paid 150cdn for ARP guage. To me it seemed worth the money and it has been used by 3 other Pelicans around NA so I am sure they thought it was worth it for me to buy it too!! :)

At any rate, it was easy to use and seems of good quality.

I think of it like a porsche engine stand adapter- why not buy one, if you only plan to use it once, sell it and get most of your money back. Or keep it and use it again and lend it to friends for beer!

Cheers