LCGB Forums

Any suggestions on the best type of feeler guage to use when trying to measure the gearbox end plate float. I have always found it difficult to get a normal type feeler guage in and wondered if there any other types that might make it easier?

I don't rebuild motors every day like a lot of guys .
But as it happens I'm on with one at the moment, I don't recall having a problem getting the feelers in you just have to be a bit brutal.

That said you can get angled ones .
Incidentally I was surprised how accurate they were.

Phil D wrote:I don't rebuild motors every day like a lot of guys .
But as it happens I'm on with one at the moment, I don't recall having a problem getting the feelers in you just have to be a bit brutal.

That said you can get angled ones .
Incidentally I was surprised how accurate they were.

I know what you mean Phil, and that's what I've had to do in the past but always feel I'm going to bend them and not too sure if they are sitting completely flat because of this?

Try any of the British 'Kennedy' range. Does what it says on the tin.

It is surprisingly how many people do not use these correctly, they need to just glide in where you can feel it running along the surface, not 'smashed' in (Firm nut fair)

I think the job is far easier if you get offset feeler gauges.

Preferably rust resistant & then it depends how much you want to spend!

Quality manufacturers include CK & Sykes Pickavant, & the more obvious Britool, Blue Point, Facom, Snap-On, Teng &, of course, Kennedy etc although feelers are a tool you don't tend to use too often....

I have never had any problems with my snapon set.

The only problem I've had (Sykes Pickavant) is when I lent them to somebody & the 0.003" feeler came back permanently crimped in the shape of a gearbox shim radius!

Just done one. Always start with smallest size to verify that there actually is a gap and then a much thicker one which won't slide in. Work your way up and down with feelers until it will slide in and you can just feel it touching. Verify that one size down slides in freely and one size up won't go in.
The one I've just done would not accept any feeler after a gearbox change and needed shimming down from 2.4 to 2.0 mm to get correct end play clearance.
From ebay with multiple sizes about £3.