Plastigage question

[Bluebelles Mom]

So I got out this green strip with markings and numbers on the side of it. My question is.....is there supposed to be some sort of plastic strip inside of it? Because there wasn't so I tried just cutting a guage portion and putting the that strip in and torqueing it down. I put it in single sided and didn't see ANY change in the paper. Obviously I have NO idea what I am doing here....a little help guys??

[rer233]

inside the paper "envelope" there shoud be a thin plastic filament (probably green.) make sure the connecting rod, rod cap, and both bearing shells are clean and dry. install the upper shell in the connecting rod, (don't apply any oil at this time) pull the rod down to the crankshaft throw, cut a length of the plastigage approx equal to the width of the bearing shell, put the other shell in the rod cap (again no oil), lay the plastigage across the rod cap shell and CAREFULLY install the assembly on to the connecting rod and torque the rod to the prescribed torque. DO NOT allow the engine to rotate. next, un- do the rod cap, take off the cap and lower bearing shell (it may stick to the crankshaft.) the "envelope" the plastigage came in has different markings with numbers next to them-just compare the width of your "mashed" plastige to the markings on the paper and read the corresponding clearances off the paper. if the plastigage sticks to the crankshaft, just compare the width there rather than trying to take it off (you'll distort it if you do.) just remember to clean off the residual plastige and oil everything up before final assembly. pretty basic procedure once you've done it! hope this helps.

[Bluebelles Mom]

inside the paper "envelope" there shoud be a thin plastic filament (probably green.) make sure the connecting rod, rod cap, and both bearing shells are clean and dry. install the upper shell in the connecting rod, (don't apply any oil at this time) pull the rod down to the crankshaft throw, cut a length of the plastigage approx equal to the width of the bearing shell, put the other shell in the rod cap (again no oil), lay the plastigage across the rod cap shell and CAREFULLY install the assembly on to the connecting rod and torque the rod to the prescribed torque. DO NOT allow the engine to rotate. next, un- do the rod cap, take off the cap and lower bearing shell (it may stick to the crankshaft.) the "envelope" the plastigage came in has different markings with numbers next to them-just compare the width of your "mashed" plastige to the markings on the paper and read the corresponding clearances off the paper. if the plastigage sticks to the crankshaft, just compare the width there rather than trying to take it off (you'll distort it if you do.) just remember to clean off the residual plastige and oil everything up before final assembly. pretty basic procedure once you've done it! hope this helps.

It does help but I am ticked...I have an empty envelop with no green plastic in it. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[xirdneh]

does help but I am ticked...I have an empty envelop with no green plastic in it. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

the plastic is very thin and sometimes a bit brittle (so it may be several pieces vs one long strip)
the paper sleeve is open at the ends sometimes and the plastigage escapes
by sliding outta there

[Bluebelles Mom]

does help but I am ticked...I have an empty envelop with no green plastic in it. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

the plastic is very thin and sometimes a bit brittle (so it may be several pieces vs one long strip)
the paper sleeve is open at the ends sometimes and the plastigage escapes
by sliding outta there

I am thinking they sold me an empty sleeve cause it felt the same in the store as it does now. I will have to go get another one. In the meantime I am cleaning all the journals up and getting everything sorted out. That's when I noticed the #4 piston had turned in the cylinder and started fighting with that.