Calibrated Wire???

[spidernut]

Does anyone know what "Calibrated Wire" is? I am installing new connecting rod bearings and the Fiat Manual has a reference to something I've never heard of before. It reads as follows:

"Place a length of calibrated wire on crankpin. Install connecting rod cap. Torque cap nuts to 38 ft. lbs. Remove caps. Compare width of wire with scale to determine clearance. Clearance should be .0008 to .0025 in."

There's a photo in the manual that does not help.

Anyone have some insight?

[djape1977]

another name for it is plastigauge

[vandor]

Plastigauge is available at most auto parts stores.

[81SPIDERMATT]

if you are like me.... plastigauge means about as much as calibrated wire the first time i heard it..... and just i case you are like me... what it is for is to check the clearance .... you put a little plastic rod in the spot tighten to spec and remove rod cap... the plastic will have squished or compressed ... with the plastigauge that you purchased will be a reference "ruler" for lack of a better word that you will match up to the squished plastic and that will tell your clearance ... sorry if i am over simplifying it ...but for me i had read several post about plastigauge before i found one that dumbed it down enough for me to actually understand