Measuring and Testing Instruments

Small Engines

Measuring and Testing Instruments

Precision measuring instruments are used to determine if parts are to be rejected resulting in replacement. The repair of any gasoline engine should be based upon the manufactures recommendations in the service manual. The listing of clearance or tolerance measurements is expressed in .001 of an inch.
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Measuring and Testing Instruments

For example:

The spark plug gap might be listed as .030 meaning for normal operation the gap should be gapped at .030 inch. Armature air gap, valve tappet clearance, piston to cylinder wall clearance, ring-groove clearance, etc
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Specifications are normally listed for:

Micrometer Caliper

One of the more common measuring devices is the outside micrometer caliper. It is designed to measure machined components where tolerances are critical as on a crankshaft journal. The marks on the thimble represent .001 inch each. One complete revolution of the thimble equals .025.

Micrometer Caliper

Every fourth line on the sleeve is longer than the others to help identify the whole numbers which represent tenths. A number of different types of micrometers are manufactured. The outside micrometer is the most common and can to measure the outside diameter of round objects, and the width and thickness of flat pieces.
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Micrometer Caliper

The inside micrometer is used to measure the diameter of a hole such as the inside diameter of an engine cylinder. The depth micrometer is used to measure the depth of holes, grooves, and slots. Micrometers are all read in the same manner.

Micrometer Caliper

Micrometers usually are designed to measure within a 1 inch range. 0-1 inch 1-2 2-3 Etc

Thickness Gauges

A variety of different gauges are manufactured for measuring the clearance or gap between two parts. The most common gauges are the flat feeler gauge, round wire gauge, reject gauge, and plastigage. Some uses of thickness gauges are:

Spark plug gap, breaker-point gap, connecting rod to crankpin clearance, piston ring end gap.

Thickness Gauges

The most commonly recognized thickness gauge is the flat feeler gage. Each blade is a different thickness. Each blade is stamped with its thickness. Feeler gauges can be used to measure:

Valve tappet clearance, air gap between the armature legs and the fly wheel magnet, crankshaft end play.
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Thickness Gauges

Round-Wire feeler gauge

It has several applications for working with small engines. The most common of these is measuring the electrode gap of new or used spark plugs.
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Thickness Gauges

Plug Gauge

Commonly used in small engine repair. Is used to determine if a valve guide bushing needs replacing. Other names given to a plug gauge are go, nogo, and reject gauges.

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Thickness Gauges

Plastigage

Can be used to measure clearance between the bearing journal on a crankshaft and its bearing or rod cap. The rod cap is tightened to a recommended torque measurement the flatten plastic is measured.

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Torque Wrench

There are specs for the torque to which bolts should be tightened depending upon size and grade. Torque equals force times distance. Torque wrenches are usually calibrated in feet or pound inches.
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Compression Testing

Compression testing can help determine if the small engine being studied has a problem with either the cylinder, piston rings, valves and or gaskets. Normal engines one cylinder engines will have a 60-150 psi rating. An accepted rule is that compression problems exist if the reading is 20% less than the minimum spec for the engine.
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Compression Testing

Compression testers can either have a rubber tip which is held to the spark plug hole or a threaded end for screwing into the spark plug hole.

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Tachometers

Tachometers are used to check the operating revolutions per minute of the engine. Cylinder Testing

A telescoping gage can be used to measure cylinder wear.

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