Big end clearance

[timbigden@icloud.com]

I posted yesterday about a 2 brg engine I’m stripping, I’m beginning to think it may not be a basket case after all!
Big ends look good, but I’m not sure how much clearance I should expect?
Any advice?
TIA

[Chris KC]

1 or 2 thou should be alright.

[John Cornforth]

Hi

I found Plastigauge useful recently.  Note the rounding at the edges of the journal where the clearance is deliberately greater. 0.038 mm is 1.5 Thou.    

[Dirk73]

Ditto on the plastigauge, it's a very cost-effective and practical way of checking big end clearances. Some 'barrelling' is to be expected on older engines but the good thing about the plastigauge is that it gives you a visual representation, rather than measuring the journal and rod in the center with a mic which only tells you half the story.