That's the difference right there Jerry.
I always use plastigauge on my re-builds because they are just that.........rebuilds.
I do performance engines, but nothing in your category of work.
My next door neighbour is there for that!
Builds race and drag engines all the time, has one of the quickest naturally aspirated engines' in the country and has his own engine dyno business.
He would go to the 4th decimal, but for what we are dealing with, plastigauge is a very handy tool.....when used right!
There is alot of mis-understanding on how it is used and exactly what people think they are measuring (as we have seen here).
I always build my street engines to relatively tight tolerances but always open them out a bit more for a higher revving, high volume oil pump driven, drag only engine with greater diametre galleries and modified oil systems.
But when talking about run of the mill daily driven engines, as long as the clearances are set right to specification, and the plastigauge is used correctly.....you normally don't run into any problems.
Just a matter of having the right knowledge to use the tool at hand..............Doc.
