How Do You Measure A Cylinder Bore?
For an engine to operate at peak efficiency, the cylinders that the pistons move in must be smooth and not be much wider than the diameter of the pistons themselves. The diameter of the engine cylinders is referred to as the cylinder bore, and knowing how to measure this can be very important when replacing pistons or performing intensive engine maintenance and repair. Measuring a cylinder’s bore is relatively easy, though a specialized tool known as a dial bore gauge must be used because measurements need to be taken at multiple heights within the cylinder. Set the dial bore gauge to zero by attaching the measurement head that corresponds with the estimated diameter of the cylinder and adjusting the calibration knob next to the dial until it reads zero. Use a ruler to take a quick measurement across the cylinder bore, if you do not know the estimated diameter of the cylinder. Insert the measurement head into the top of the cylinder, rocking the bore gauge back and forth slightly until
