Guys I know the Ford/Merc spec is b/w .002 and .006, but how do you guys usually check yours? Snugged main caps or torqued ? Rope seal in or out? Feeler gauges or dial indicator? Anyone ? Rat
OK I'll start it off with my worthless 2 cents, It should not matter how you check it, tightend mains or rope seal in place, end play is the fore and aft movement the crank will see, so with that usless logic I measure mine with a dial indicator after the mains are installed and use a large pry bar to make sure I am moving the crank in each direction as far as it can go. On a Overhead Ford I believe it is controled by the center main bearing thrust surfaces, so if your going to be out of spec you have either a worn crank or undersize bearings. If your too tight you can fix it by crank or bearing metal removal. What has every one else got to say.
That seems the normal way--usual to push crank back then forward with caps snug, then tighten and measure. Dial or feeler really should say the same thing... I have lots of flathead overhaul bookage, I'll check and see if any of them say anything much different, but that's the way I've dunnit.
Ford books show their special dial indicator tool that dealers had to buy. Regular grunts used feeler gauges as the spec isnt all that critical and they are easier (faster) to use.
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