I've gotten my mid-block back from getting bored and honed at the machine shop and am ready for re-assembly. I ended up getting standard bearings for the main and rod set and would like to check oil clearance prior to install because Toga doesn't allow exchanges for oversized if they've been torqued down.

I have a digital mic and caliper, but need to get the inside journal diameter. This can be done with either an inside diameter mic or a telescoping gauge, but I need one small enough, between 1.5" - 2" for main and rod journals.

I'm currently using a borrowed Mitutoyo digital mic and caliper but the guy doesn't have anything for precision, small-scale inner diameter. The only thing I've found online is a set of dirt cheap and hugely expensive gauges on amazon.


http://www.amazon.com/6-16-PRECISION...0586077&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S579G...0586153&sr=1-7

I don't want crap tools for precision measurement but also don't want to overpay just for a brand name.

Engine builders, help me out. What's a good and reasonably priced brand, i.e. I'm looking for Craftsman quality and pricing, not Snap-On.

 

Well, a coworker told me to check out NAPA. Dropped by there at lunch and found these two things:



http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...Bore+Gauge+Set

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...ion=Micrometer

I should be able to get a good enough measurement to know if I'll need an oversized bearing or not.

 

They should get you close enough.

 

As a bonus, each of them came in a foam-lined hard case. The calipers also had a 1" calibrated standard to keep the tool accurate w/ the adjustment wrench.

 

The ones from Napa are what I have used for years,not super spendy and impossible to kill if used for a person not doing it daily in a shop,but even then they would last for a long time.