When blueprinting an engine, what all do you use plastigauge on? The main AND rod bearing journals?

Also, how exactly do you do it? I heard that rod bolts are only "safe" to torque one time as everytime you "un-torque" and re-torque them they get severly fatigued.

Just curious because I think I know the process, but not 100% sure and it goes against what I've heard about re-using fasteners.

Thanks

I would NOT consider plastigauge the proper TOOL to blueprint anything with.

the best way is to measure with micrometers but plastigauge gives you an idea if something is way off and yes, check all the rods and mains. you want to install the crank dry (wipe off any oils with lacquer thinner or acetone) and lay a piece across the journal, make sure you don't let the crank spin dry as you can damage the bearings, then just torque down the cap, once you remove the cap use the gauge on the package to check your clearance. i've never had a problem re-torquing rod bolts or main bolts/ studs on Mopar engines, i know that you can't re-use bolts that are "torque to yield" but have never come across any on the stuff i've built. good luck, what are you building?

Actually, "cycling" the bolts. Repeated torquing and loosening will stretch out a bolt stabilizing the final torque, as long as the fastener is not over torqued. Just make sure to use the same lubricant on the bolt and washer as you would use in final assembly.

Hello:
I agree Plastigauge is not what you use to blueprint with, at its best it may tell you if you have a problem, that is if you do it right and you can make sense out of a smashed particle of plastic hair.
If you're going into blueprinting engines do yourself a favor and invest in good quality
"mikes" and learn how to use them..
Your biggest question is what do I do if clearence is to tight? or loose?
Thats blueprinting 101.

Good Luck
Maynard