Dial Indicator

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   I am looking at getting a dial indicator, with a base.  Just looking for something for general automotive use, like setting up rear ends, checking valve lift, etc.

I see a few options at Summit. The summit brand one looks okay, but some complaints of a weak magnet.  The Chicago brand one looks decent too, but is a lot more money.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/dial-indicators

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72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5442	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dial Indicator Posted: 02-December-2022 at 6:50AM
	I am looking at getting a dial indicator, with a base. Just looking for something for general automotive use, like setting up rear ends, checking valve lift, etc. I see a few options at Summit. The summit brand one looks okay, but some complaints of a weak magnet. The Chicago brand one looks decent too, but is a lot more money. https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/dial-indicators
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

72 RS 351 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04-September-2014 Location: Knoxville TN Status: Online Points: 2444	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72 RS 351 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-December-2022 at 7:14AM
	I have a magnetic base and a dial indicator that have worked great since I got them in the early 90's, from Harbor Freight. The generic brands should do fine for most tasks, I would only worry about the accuracy of a caliper for serious work like engine bearing clearances etc. The magnet of my off brand base is very strong, when the lever is turned to engage it, you cannot easily remove it from the metal surface. I checked lifter preload with mine, as well as some valve lifts etc, and ring gear backlash 3-4 times. Mine were about $20 each about 30 years ago.
	*Don* 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W

Eliteman76 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 20-March-2006 Location: Nebraska, USA Status: Offline Points: 4870	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eliteman76 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05-January-2023 at 3:27PM
	My question is, what level of quality would you use for dialing in Bell house runout? I am pulling my tremec out soon for a re-fresh and need to consider spending time to make sure it's dialed in. Seems the Tremec 5 speeds are not like the Toploaders of olden days.
	Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod Pondering: #99Problems

Camojoe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 11-June-2011 Location: Byron,GA. Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote Camojoe Report Post Thanks(3) Quote Reply Posted: 14-March-2023 at 2:13PM
	If you don't mind used, search ebay for a Federal brand indicator. I've been in machine work for more than 40 years, and have used various indicator brands over the years,and have several in my home tool box. In my opinion, Federal will make all other brands run up a tree. Starrett and Mitutoyo are both fantastic indicators, but don't have the smoothness and feel of Federal. You can find Federals in any resolution, such as one tenth of a thou (.0001"), which would be a little overkill for setting up ring and pinion backlash. Probably more than info than you asked for, but there it is. Regards, Duck Edited by Camojoe - 14-March-2023 at 2:18PM
	werd tuh yuh momma and dim....

Greg73Oregon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23-February-2021 Location: Roseville, CA Status: Offline Points: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greg73Oregon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14-March-2023 at 3:11PM
	Yes. The Harbor freight one is good. Used it to rebuild an engine. Measurement results were always repeatable. Magnet was fairly strong.
	GKF

californiajohnny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14512	Post Options Post Reply Quote californiajohnny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14-March-2023 at 9:21PM
	i dont recall the brand i have seams to me its central presision??? (no its not HF i got this way before HF was thought of) i do have the HF dial indicator and snap gauges. a few starrett mics, and a mitutoyo digital caliper...
	JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

72FordGTS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 5442	Post Options Post Reply Quote 72FordGTS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-March-2023 at 6:03AM
	Thanks CamoJoe, great advice!
	Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin

Eliteman76 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 20-March-2006 Location: Nebraska, USA Status: Offline Points: 4870	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eliteman76 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-April-2023 at 1:48PM
	Hey CamoJoe, what one off here would you choose for general automotive use? https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn?navid=2107722&searchterm=dial+indicator+magnetic+base For how often I am going to use one, in my case I am checking runout of my bell housing after I send my Tremec 5 speed in for a freshening. I am leaning towards possibly a Fowler or SPI, as I don't see myself using this tool at all. Fowler brand: https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/56066830 SPI Brand: https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/41645573
	Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod Pondering: #99Problems

DJames Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 22-April-2023 Location: Houston TX Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote DJames Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28-April-2023 at 6:54AM
	I've always been a big fan of Brown and Sharpe. I have a 1 inch travel dial indicator that I've had since the 80s with no complaints. Starrett is also top shelf stuff. I bought a Starrett Last Word indicator in the mid 70s and it still works great. I also have a Mitutoya version of that Last Word that I got like 20 years ago that I would use if I suspected the potential for getting damaged, but, it never did. But, my first choice is Brown and Sharpe. My B & S dial calipers are like part of the family, and my B & S depth mike set has been a workhorse for many, many moons. I like the wooded cases that the stuff comes in also.