Dial Indicators - how useful?

  I have used my magnetic based dial indicator for checking rotor "run-out", setting backlash on rear axle gears, degreeing camshafts, checking crankshaft/camshaft thrust endplay, camshaft "events" and etc. Although not something that is used everyday, but in certain situations it is a very handy tool when accuracy is paramount.

The axle housing flange has studs in it - it is a Chrysler 8 3/4 inch rear (not sure if they were all that way or not). It uses self locking nuts to hold the axle/bearing/seal/cover assembly onto the axle housing flange.

I had considered getting new self locking nuts as well.

On the passenger side (only) apparently there is the "adjustment" mechanism for end play. I have not disassembled that side yet to see what that means. I have seen a photo of one - it is just an unremarkable piece of angled metal, so this should be a treat.

I felt very strongly about replacing the bearings. It has 190,000 miles on it and to my knowledge they were never greased (there is not a requirement as far as I can tell). When I got one shaft out, the bearing was still intact, but I can only explain the lubricant left behind as a "black goo". It was neither rear axle lubricant, grease or a mixture of both. Probably could have been used as a prop in a horror flick.

The first time I tried to take a back wheel off an old Chrysler, I thought I broke the car... the wheel was held on with bolts instead of studs and lug nuts. My shop teacher got a good laugh out of our reaction.

Edited by Big Bird - 20-May-2015 at 3:14PM

i've heard of them, i think they are decent

That dial indicator has a set screw at about the 2 o'clock position, you loosen the knob and you can spin the dial to your zero, as you use a dial indicator on a mounting base it doesn't always go to the same spot, that is why you can turn the dial to zero. It looks like a good setup I don't think it looks defective. I've been an automotive machinist for eight years.

Mine has a little knob, like the winder on a watch, that you zero with. The glass has a pointer that you can set at locations to show the max travel for the needle. For measuring runout, for instance.

SPIDERS???

Big Bird wrote: Yeah, Spiders. Eight-legged creepy-crawlies. My old dial gauge is somewhere in my garage. I think I used it last to check runout and backlash on a 3.50 centersection for the thunderbird about 8 years ago. (It's in a 5-gallon pail, still not installed)

  !!!

Guys, thank you for the clarification. I decided to keep the set, it is rather nice. I have to admit, I think I was extremely disappointed when it came as a "Made in China" unit and I was hoping/expecting a US made unit. 

I'm late tot he party here but with a dial indicator they have their uses, especially for setting up ring and pinions and checking back lash. And BTW HOW THE HECK did I miss the "tools" section.

Dial indicator is fairly important, used for a lot of measuring/verification. Camshaft holder is pretty much mandatory for timing chain install and setting cam timing.

If I was building an engine, I would put the timing chain on before the valve train was installed. No worrying about bending a valve. I have never heard of a cam holding tool prior to this thread. Then again, the last engine I built was a long time ago.

Edit: I see why holding tool is required. They put cams on the top of the engines. My how times have changed.

Edited by handsofstone - 19-February-2019 at 1:31AM

Yes, its definitely a PITA for sure, and CHT meant cam holding tool, hehe. I'm old school too and some of this stuff is just starting to freak me the hell out. The guy I'm building it for has aluminum aftermarket heads so I'm sure they flow better and most likely offer better compression, he's done away with the plastic intake and given me an aluminum edlebrock, may be a Victor jr I think, along with roller rockers forged pistons and all that goodie stuff, and I have to research what goes where... I already said all this didn't I... yup, losin it.