| Real Tools for Real Engine Builders THIS IS A MUST FOR ALL ENGINE BUILDERS. If your going to build your new combo the correct way then start with the rod bolts. I get about 1x bad bolt for every 10 sets of rods I assemble. Thats 1 bolt in a batch of 80 that would have lead to catastrophic failure and can completely take out any motor in seconds. It doesn't matter were you ordered your rods from or what brand they are, ITS UP TO YOU TO CHECK AND SET THE ROD BOLT STRETCH. This is not about the brand of rods you use or shop you order the bolts from. No, its the technique used when checking and setting the rod bolts. But I Use A "Super-Duper" High Quality Torque Wrench! When just using a torque wrench if the bolt was bad the torque wrench would still "click" at the selected torque! This means you would go on assembling your new motor, not knowing that it has a bad bolt in it! With a torque wrench there is no way to spot a bad bolt. With the LowBugget.com rod bolt stretch gauge you can detect bad bolts and save your self time and money. Why Check Rod Bolts Stretch! Because sometimes torque readings may vary do to excessive friction between two contact surfaces. Example of this is when the under head or flange of the rod bolt will bind and micro weld its self to the bolt and rod matting surfaces. Using the stretch factors supplied by rod bolt manufacturers like ARP, you can set the stretch across the entire length of the bolt. This stretch offers a highly accurate way to measure torque. How To Use Our Rod Bolt Gauge? First fallow all manufactures recommendations and instructions. Lube the bolt and rod generously. Next pre-stretch the bolt 2-4 times to its recommended torque setting. Un-load the bolt (back it off so its lose) and position the stretch gauge over the length of the rod bolt, zero out the gauge and save this measurement. Then torque down to the recommended setting for the type of bolt and make you have, now take another reading with the stretch gauge. This is the stretch of the bolt. If the bolt did not stretch to the correct length, then you should check and add more bolt lube, just apply more and re-try. If the Bolt goes past the manufacturer’s specification for total stretch, then you have a bad bolt or your torque wrench is bad and over torquing. If the wrench is correct and its the bolt then “Pat” your self on the back as you just saved your self a large chunk of motor money!!! For more info check out this free video!!! http://www.lowbugget.com/Produce_1.wmv 3/4” Thick! No more flex like the others! Made here in the USA from CNC 6061 billet aluminum that is a full 3/4” thick, Why so thick? We found that when trying to get a real accurate reading most engine builders would pull hard to make sure the gauge was sitting firmly ageist the bolts. We found that other brands would flex giving the builder a false reading. FOWLER Indicators. We use Fowler dial and electronic indicators for there accuracy. The dial indicator is a full 2 inches in diameter. Our ProDigtal Rod Bolt stretch Gauge has a easy to read large display that has a Hold feature built in. Fowler's new “Indi-X” Electronic Indicator has the accuracy down to .0005” (.01mm) and direct inch/metric conversion display. Base Model. 2” Dial Rod Bolt Stretch Gauge. $69.99 each (Dial indicator is made in china) Good Black Fowler Dial Rod Bolt Stretch Gauge. $89.99 each ( Genuine Fowler dial indicator) Best ProDigtal Rod Bolt Stretch Gauge $129.99 ( Genuine Fowler Electronic Indi-X digtal indicator) Extra battery add $1.99 Notes on stretch setting. ARP 2000 5/16" bolts call for .0058" stretch ARP 8740 3/8" bolts call for .0052" stretch ARP 2000 3/8" bolts call for .0058" stretch 6 PC. Telescoping Gauge set. You can check things as small as your valve guides "ID" or as large as the bore of your case. Good for checking bearing bore, oil pump bore, valve seat press etc. $39.99 for the kit. 6" Digital Calipers, Check things like your rod, crank, cam journal size to .001" Accuracy! Includes Hard Plastic case. $39.99 each. We can help on how to use and what to set at. We also have a complete line of "I" Beam and "H" Beam race rods with real ARP bolts to build your beast. |