05-11-2005, 01:16 AM
ooooh internet mechanics!
You're still missing the point. It doesnt cost you much to do, and it will tell you whether the new bearings (which is what you'd plastigauge.... not the old ones) are in proper spec with the crank are not. If you are putting in new bearings and shit is waaaaaaay out of whack - you will know right there, and at that point you can either get the correct sized bearings, pull the motor out and rebuild it while it still runs, or just install them anyways and hope your shit doesnt blow up.
Your shit is certainly not going to blow up if you dont check the clearances - but its one of those easy things to do while you're in there. Those guys talk as if checking the clearances is actually going to hurt your engine, which is just downright rediculous.
You're still missing the point. It doesnt cost you much to do, and it will tell you whether the new bearings (which is what you'd plastigauge.... not the old ones) are in proper spec with the crank are not. If you are putting in new bearings and shit is waaaaaaay out of whack - you will know right there, and at that point you can either get the correct sized bearings, pull the motor out and rebuild it while it still runs, or just install them anyways and hope your shit doesnt blow up.
Your shit is certainly not going to blow up if you dont check the clearances - but its one of those easy things to do while you're in there. Those guys talk as if checking the clearances is actually going to hurt your engine, which is just downright rediculous.