Dial Bore Guage

**petehubbell** · 12-08-2013, 10:17 AM

If I buy a dial bore Guage do I also need outside micrometers to zero it in?

Thanks guys. Pete

**dagodiver** · 12-08-2013, 10:19 AM

Ring gauge for bottom or top of range works good.

Dago

**mike schmidt** · 12-08-2013, 12:26 PM

If your using it for cylinder bores, all you really care about is the actual skirt clearance. You measure the piston with a micrometer, then set the dial bore to the piston diameter. You them check the bore and read off skirt clearance.

So YES you need micrometers.

Michael D-1

**wired247** · 12-08-2013, 12:48 PM

You don't need a micrometer. You just need a standard which you can use as a reference. The micrometer is handy as you can use it as a reference point but anything will work such as a ring installer or calibrated bore standard if you know the actual I.D.. It IS easier to use a micrometer but is it absolutely necessary? Not really.

**petehubbell** · 12-08-2013, 12:59 PM

What I'm hoping to do is determine cylinder size on several motors. For instance, wether a particular hole may have already been bored oversize.

I think it would be nice to be able to know if a hole is out of round or has taper before sending a block out for work. ( Also when buying a used block)

**patchesII** · 12-08-2013, 01:29 PM

Yes Pete, buy a 3"-4" mic if you get a dial bore gauge. That one mic will serve you well on any outboard piston and to set your bore gauge

**frank jackson** · 12-08-2013, 08:50 PM

I say buy the Mic., but if you are not doing the machine work , only checking the size or for size of overbore use a vernier caliper .

**Mr. Demeanor** · 12-08-2013, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by frank jackson

I say buy the Mic., but if you are not doing the machine work , only checking the size or for size of overbore use a vernier caliper .

Thats what I was thinking and then you just measuring the bore at the very top where it hasnt been worn and youll know what it was originally bored to.

**frank jackson** · 12-09-2013, 12:25 AM

If he wants to check for out of round and taper he needs the bore gauge , he can set that gauge with the vernier . Its not as accurate as the mic but more than good enough to do checks with .

**baja200merk** · 12-09-2013, 12:27 AM

Buy it......

They move quite a bit after 15yrs of fishing abuse.

**wired247** · 12-09-2013, 12:45 AM

Make sure you get one with a movable gauge face to be able to zero it. My dad bought one of those crappy Chinese ones thats always .040" off and non adjustable. I bought him a Starrett bore gauge for Christmas. Whole setup was $250. Might not be the top quality Starrett gauge of old but its a good rig.

**Mr. Demeanor** · 12-09-2013, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by frank jackson

If he wants to check for out of round and taper he needs the bore gauge , he can set that gauge with the vernier . Its not as accurate as the mic but more than good enough to do checks with .

He said he was just looking for bore size so thats why I agreed with the vernier.

**HStream1** · 12-09-2013, 06:27 AM

Buy the 3" to 4" micrometer you'll be glad you did. As far as Micrometers and gauges I'm a Starrett, Brown and Sharp or mitutoyo Fan. But Fowler makes some really nice precision tools that are 1/4 the price and very nice quality, accurate and reliable.

The Fowler 52-646-300 2" to 6" in .0005 incriments dial bore gauge it's very nice and under $100.00 shipping included. They are all over Amazon and E-bay.

**petehubbell** · 12-09-2013, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by HStream1

Buy the 3" to 4" micrometer you'll be glad you did. As far as Micrometers and gauges I'm a Starrett, Brown and Sharp or mitutoyo Fan. But Fowler makes some really nice precision tools that are 1/4 the price and very nice quality, accurate and reliable.

The Fowler 52-646-300 2" to 6" in .0005 incriments dial bore gauge it's very nice and under $100.00 shipping included. They are all over Amazon and E-bay.

Thanks everyone for all the input! I've got the Fowler mentioned above on order along with a 3" - 4" micrometer. Merry Christmas! Pete