Best value dial bore gauge for cylinder inspection

[havoc_squad]

I need to determine what precision level tolerance and quality of manufacturers is needed for a dial bore gauge to determine clyinder in spec or out of spec diameter or out of round.

I want to avoid buying multiple times but also don't want to spend twice as much than needed.

I bring this up here because it's not a model/drive specific question.

Also, I guess this would include a micrometer to set the zero of the desired bore diameter to compare.

 

[Scott Danforth]

unless you plan on rebuilding many...many...many engines, simply take your block to your local machine shop. they will inspect for about $40

Avoid cheep inspection tools. most are nowhere near close to accurate

a good bore gauge from Starrett or Mitutoyo will be about $3-400

a good set of inside mics and outside mics will be about $600

I am lucky, as my father was a machinist and head of quality control for many years, so i have a nice set of inspection tools and i still pay the machine shop to re-verify

 

[gm280]

You could go with a set of SNAP gauges and then a standard caliber to measure, instead of a dedicated bore gauge(s). And for the record, the machine shop I use does it that way. Just an idea.

 

[dingbat]

GIve five unskilled people a bore gauge and a set of mics and you’ll get five different answers.

A customer just paid close to $13k with expenses for me to prove the point in person...lol

Unless you have the skill and know how, leave the measuring to the pros.