Metric Dial Guage: Where can I get one?

[crashr]

I looked on pelican and they don't sell Metric Dial Guages anymore. I spent my morning phoning places like NAPA and a couple other auto places but with no luck. Can someone tell me a place where I can buy one of these?

Whoohooo ! 100 posts. Wish it would have been on something insightful. Ah well....

[brandett]

A search on googles.com gave alot of places in uk but i also found one in USA and as they are n/a i hope pelican dont mind. www.ebsracing.com

Expensive though...

[jhelgesen]

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Go to page 2066, there are a few metric indicators on there, or go with an electronic one, will give you a digital readout in english or metric.

[crashr]

What range do I need?

[ChrisBennet]

0-.5" or 10mm is sufficient for setting valves. You will also need a 2.0" extension.
MSC has a range of indicators including some that are less expensive than the ones McMasterCarr carries. I remember Automotion selling the Tekclock ones.
I really love the digital ones. They are much easier to read esp. as our eyes get older.
-Chris

MSC page 1305 with Tekclock dial indicators

MSC page 1311 indicator extensions (See "Y")

EDIT: I just noticed the Z-block tool comes with an extension.

[crashr]

Ha Ha, Chris to bad I'm 23. Hee hee. But hey a good tool should last me a life time right?

[crashr]

Chris, what is the difference between the first group and secound group of them. Which would you suggest? I talked to someone who told me about the way they mount; either from the back or from the top? Which is better for what I need?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by crashr
Ha Ha, Chris to bad I'm 23. Hee hee. But hey a good tool should last me a life time right?

You just wait Dennis.
One of these days you'll be bemoaning the poor quality of the text in some magazine, then you'll notice all the magazines have fuzzy printing, then it will dawn on you. The printing hasn't changed, your eyes have.
-Chris

[crashr]

That day will never come for me Chris. I have a Fountain of Youth in my back yard. It is situated right next to my Money Tree.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by crashr
Chris, what is the difference between the first group and secound group of them. Which would you suggest? I talked to someone who told me about the way they mount; either from the back or from the top? Which is better for what I need?

Dennis,
I'm not sure what the groups mean.
On MSC page 1305 you want the Metric Tekclock one, specifically the one with the 10mm range (#06450134).
The vertical lug on the back isn't necessary for the cam timing using the Z-block tool but you need it for everything else.
-Chris
Edit: Let me know if you're interested in the digital kind.

[crashr]

How much more is it for the digital one? Also do I need any other stems or anything or just the extension.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by crashr
How much more is it for the digital one? Also do I need any other stems or anything or just the extension.

The Tekclock one is around $56 and the Mitutoyo digital ones start at $127. I have two Mitutoyo digital ones and I like them. One of mine is the first one on page 1300.
The tips on the Mitutoyos and the non-digital metric indicators (like that Tekclock) have a metric thread (2.4x.45) vs the "english" 4-48 thread. The threads are so similar that if I didn't tell you, you would never know from using them. If that sort of thing keeps you awake at night you can buy a converter on page 1311. It's listed with the dial indicator extensions.
-Chris

Mitutoyo digital indicators on page 1300

[TimT]

Why buy a metric dial gauge? get a standard one and convert your metric dimensions to inches.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by TimT
Why buy a metric dial gauge? get a standard one and convert your metric dimensions to inches.

Tim has a point. If this Porsche thing is just a phase before you progress to good 'ole 'merican motors, there is no sense in investing too much in metric tools.
-Chris

[crashr]

Nope, I've wanted a porsche ever since I drove my dads back when I was 16. I have no interest in any car other than a porsche, so I have no problem investing in a good set of tools that will last.

Thanks for all the help Chris.

[Wayne 962]

Those are some pretty cool gauges! I don't even use a Metric one - I simply convert on the fly...

-Wayne

[Oldporsche]

Any machine shop supply has good metric dial indicators.

Try MSC on the web. They are one of the largest mail order suppliers of machine shop equipment.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[cstreit]

Grainger.

[Joe Bob]

Along with my micrometer...a push of the button converts mm, to inches....at least on mine it does....