# Plasti-Gauge vs. Micrometer
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552
**Category:** PittSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [November 9, 2007, 7:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552 "2007-11-09T07:30:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@AeroKing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AeroKing)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 7:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/1 "2007-11-09T07:30:26Z")
I’m getting ready to assemble my engine. I have some good sets of Starret mics, depth gauges, etc.
But everyone i talk to says to just use Plasti-Gauge, but i dont wanna trust my engine to a $3 piece of plastic.
I have read alot of people who use plasti-gage have a tough time removing it from the bearings.
I’m probably going to do both, mic-ing the clearances, and plasti-gaugeing them.
But which one would you do, if not both…
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### Author:  [@69camaro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/69camaro)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 7:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/2 "2007-11-09T07:33:48Z")
i do both,you cant be too careful
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### Author:  [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 7:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/3 "2007-11-09T07:48:50Z")
there are certain things you can’t measure with a micrometer/caliper/depth gauge. Plastigauge is a universally used engine building tool. If you are unsure, and where it is ieven possible, double check with another measuring device.
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### Author:  [@JackdUp](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JackdUp)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/4 "2007-11-09T09:31:55Z")
I trust plastigauge for bearing clearances. But if you got Mic’s and whatnot, use both IMO.
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### Author:  [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 10:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/5 "2007-11-09T10:41:42Z")
no need to mic everything, the machine shop should have done that. Just plasti-gauge it. if a clearance is off, then its back to the machine shop anyway.
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### Author:  [@Sinner6.0L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sinner6.0L)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/6 "2007-11-09T15:08:13Z")
IMO it’s easier to misuse a mic than it is plastigauge. That stuffs pretty accurate for what it’s worth.
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### Author:  [@tom\_vito](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tom_vito)
#### Post date: [November 12, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/7 "2007-11-12T16:50:31Z")
> [@BASKETBALL 5:30PM 8/3](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/basketball-5-30pm-8-3/33371/20):
>
> IMO it’s easier to misuse a mic than it is plastigauge. That stuffs pretty accurate for what it’s worth.
X2
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### Author:  [@Dominator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dominator)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/8 "2007-11-13T17:47:46Z")
Who ever complained about plastiguage being hard to get off bearing is a pussy. use it. Don’t worry about the mics, unless you have your own machining equipment.
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### Author:  [@vw16vcabby](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vw16vcabby)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/9 "2007-11-15T19:54:57Z")
i’d use the mic’s. plasti-guage is good to an extent, but the mics if used properly wont lie.
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### Author:  [@imported\_gearhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/imported_gearhead)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2007, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/10 "2007-11-16T07:01:53Z")
The only time you basicly have to mic is if you are not rebuilding, but only checking clearances for a bearing swap when no other damage has occured in the motor.
I loose plastigauge all the time :doh:
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### Author:  [@fmfkid250](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fmfkid250)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2007, 12:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plasti-gauge-vs-micrometer/193552/11 "2007-11-16T12:36:31Z")
I just let the machine shop worry about this stuff…If it blows up at least i am not the one to blame!