Magnetic base dial indicator-checking endplay

Augie · Post by **Augie** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:43 pm

I use a hex bar that is tapped on one end so I can bolt it to one of the top bell housing holes, and the other end is turned own several inches to allow me to slip the indicater mount over it.

I also check endplay before the pistons and cylinders are installed.

Muffler Mike · Post by **Muffler Mike** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:28 am

sparkmaster1 wrote:Looks like MM finally got some good help. My kids (2+5 yr boys) are so handy finding tools that they hid earlier. With a dial indicator on the edge of the flywheel, take a screwdriver and lightly "pry" the flywheel back. You'll be amazed how much it flexes. Tim

LOL. excelent help. he can tell you how many 8mm nuts it takes to fill up the pick up tube too.

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:13 pm

The problem with using a dial indicator is that you actually have more room for error unless the articulated arm on the base is *rock* solid and the dial indicator plunger is *perfectly* perpendicular to the measured surface. A magnetic base can shift on you, and the twin arms on most articulated bases can provide a lot of leverage.

I still like the feeler gauge method. The tool shown in Max's post is far too sturdy to flex, leaving only the flywheel itself to flex. But how can the flywheel flex when you're measuring crankshaft endplay? You move the flywheel in and it relaxes far before you can get a feeler gauge in there to check the clearance. Same thing when you pull the flywheel out. Repeat the check for or five times and average the results and you'll be fine.

Mugsy · Post by **Mugsy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:41 pm

Well I tried to measure endplay again today and sure enough the dial indicator with a magnetic base did work...but I had to tighten the poo out of the arms to make sure everything was solid. And a good way to make sure everything is working correctly is to watch the dial indicator as you zero it...if you see the needle moving, something isn't "just right". Here's a picture of me clocking the cam with a magnetic dial indicator:

Thanks,
Andy

Muffler Mike · Post by **Muffler Mike** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 1:15 pm

cool pic. nice and clear.

dial indicators and mag bases, are a nice tool to have in the arsinal.

same thing as you but mounting in a different location, (that cast iron oil pump cover again) and using the adjustable push rod to make the measurements.

even see that lo cash sticker on the floor

Mugsy · Post by **Mugsy** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:42 pm

Yeah, I wish i could say my engine was low cash, unfotunately I've invested over $4K. I tried to make everything as organized as possible, but theres just SO MANY parts...and one table can't hold them all. I can't believe you have a f'in tv in your garage, thats awesome...do you have a refrigerator too? Then you wouldn't have any need to leave, ever.

Andy

Muffler Mike · Post by **Muffler Mike** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:09 pm

Mugsy wrote:Yeah, I wish i could say my engine was low cash, unfotunately I've invested over $4K. I tried to make everything as organized as possible, but theres just SO MANY parts...and one table can't hold them all. I can't believe you have a f'in tv in your garage, thats awesome...do you have a refrigerator too? Then you wouldn't have any need to leave, ever.

Andy

LOL, yea i actually do have a frid in my garage, and its usually full of one's favorite beverage, what i am missing is the urnial in the corner. if that was there, then i wouldnt ever have to leave.

Sharkey · Post by **Sharkey** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:40 pm

Ooooh... Muffler Mike has two TVs...

Muffler Mike · Post by **Muffler Mike** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:22 pm

Sharkey wrote:Ooooh... Muffler Mike has two TVs...

the top one is hooked up to a separate vcr that is also hooked into the stereo so we can play some PRA videos with volume during those most important bench race sessions.

but its not exactly working right lately and my kid was hanging out in the garage with me, so the traveling tv that usually goes on the road with us and is a tv/vcr combo was out playing Ice Age to keep my kid occupied.

mschilling · Post by **mschilling** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:53 am

Another idea is using that feeler gauge tool, except inserting a dial gauge in where that big set screw is now. It's got rock solid support without those wacky mag base arms. I made one like that and it's ready to go anytime, just bolt it on. I got a small dial indicator off a machine that was being thrown out at my workplace. It's a neat German made dial indicator that reads in 100ths of a mm which is finer than the US .001 inch units and lets you use the original VW specs for endplay in metric for that vintage tech feeling!

wchiro · Post by **wchiro** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 11:38 pm

Mugsy wrote:I got my magnetic base in today so I wanted to get started on setting the endplay first. I put the base on the flywheel and set up the dial indicator so it was perpindicular to the flywheel(both axes) and then tightened down all the screws. The DANG dial indicator still moves around throwing my readings off...even when I rotate it to zero it in, I can see it moving around; of course when I push the flywheel back and forth it moves about a thou from one move to the next(I'll do one trial measurement and get the measurement, then when I start the next trial measurement its not on zero anymore). So are these things worthless or what?

Thanks,
Andy

It's important to make sure that the flywheel/crank does not rotate when checking endplay.....this will give you the false readings that you are experiencing.

To keep the flywheel from turning I modified a flywheel lock slightly so that I could move the flywheel back and forth without the flywheel turning. No problems dialing in my endplay with my magnetic base dial indicator.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Wayne

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Magnetic base dial indicator-checking endplay

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