Nitro Engine Squish Gauges

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Daniel,

How do you calculate head clearance using this gauge with a dome/dished piston motor? In some nitro engines I've found the dome of the piston to contact the head button before the outer edge. In this case I've had to cut the button on the same angle as the piston and cc the button for proper compression ratio. I have a similar gauge to the one you're offering but have never figured out how to make it work with anything but flat top piston engines. In all others I've found plasti-gauge to be the only option. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks, Ron
Ron,
It's easy, zero the gauge with the head sitting on top of the piston! In my opinion this is the only way to be accurate with any domed piston.
So you're ok with setting head clearance anywhere you get your desired number? In the case of the DD Nova .21 (mine anyway) if I tried to set my head clearance at 6thou at the outer edge of the piston, the dome would make contact with the button. If I remember correctly the outer edge would have to be 11thou or so to have any clearance at the dome. In the case of the Picco .45 with a dome piston, everyone I know was cutting the dome off to get the head volume right. Just trying to understand how to use the tool.
No Ron, I don't think squishing the charge out towards the cylinder wall is any good! You did the right thing.
 
Daniel,

How do you calculate head clearance using this gauge with a dome/dished piston motor? In some nitro engines I've found the dome of the piston to contact the head button before the outer edge. In this case I've had to cut the button on the same angle as the piston and cc the button for proper compression ratio. I have a similar gauge to the one you're offering but have never figured out how to make it work with anything but flat top piston engines. In all others I've found plasti-gauge to be the only option. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks, Ron
Ron,

You usually have the engine completely apart so just set the button on top of the piston and zero the gauge before you assemble and this will give you point of contact. Once it is assembled rotate to TDC and you will be able to read the clearance.

Oops sorry I see it was already discussed.

Thanks Daniel, I appreciate the reply. I'm probably dealing with two adjustments. Head clearance and head volume. Because I've only used my gauge on flat top piston motors I've put the gauge in the head button and set the button on a piece of glass to set the gauge to zero. I can see how putting the button on the top of the piston will work better on dome/dish pistons. It was really getting confusing for me when my pistons have a dome and a dish. Not easy to get the volume right in those motors.

Thanks again, Ron

ps. Nice work by the way.
 
Daniel,

How do you calculate head clearance using this gauge with a dome/dished piston motor? In some nitro engines I've found the dome of the piston to contact the head button before the outer edge. In this case I've had to cut the button on the same angle as the piston and cc the button for proper compression ratio. I have a similar gauge to the one you're offering but have never figured out how to make it work with anything but flat top piston engines. In all others I've found plasti-gauge to be the only option. Is there something I'm missing?

Thanks, Ron
Ron,
It's easy, zero the gauge with the head sitting on top of the piston! In my opinion this is the only way to be accurate with any domed piston.
So you're ok with setting head clearance anywhere you get your desired number? In the case of the DD Nova .21 (mine anyway) if I tried to set my head clearance at 6thou at the outer edge of the piston, the dome would make contact with the button. If I remember correctly the outer edge would have to be 11thou or so to have any clearance at the dome. In the case of the Picco .45 with a dome piston, everyone I know was cutting the dome off to get the head volume right. Just trying to understand how to use the tool.
No Ron, I don't think squishing the charge out towards the cylinder wall is any good! You did the right thing.

Thanks Martin. it wasn't my idea though on the DD .21 button. I believe Marty told me you had something to do with figuring that out.
 
You Would be Very Surprised on how good/accurate they are from Harbor Freight.

I have Digital dial and micrometers and they were in tolerance from the manufacture and have been for a couple of years.

I calibrated these on our gauge blocks and on our supermicrometer

Tim

Hi Duke,
If you don't have any luck, Ken Retallick her in Australia can supply these with his adapters for standard and turbo plug heads.
[email protected]

Thanks.
Duke,

Sorry man I hadn't seen your post until now.

Yes I can make you one up. Do you want a analogue or digital model ?
Daniel,

Do you have a picture of the digital version?

I'm leaning towards the digital.
Duke,

I have a picture of the gas model squish gauge. The gauges themselves are Chinese ones from Harbor Freight that work really well.

Let me get back ton you with a picture in a bit.
 
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Daniel,

I'll take one of the digital ones when you get one assembled.

PM me with your paypal info.

Thanks,

Duke
 
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Daniel, would you have just the base to fit in the turbo plug heads.

Ditto to Jeff's Question.

Me too. And price for just the base?

I am building three standard nitro glow digitals for Duke, Steve and Ken now. And a standard nitro glow analogue for Chris(by pm).

I may be able to do the turbo version. I am looking into it now for you guy's but they would only be completed units because they have to be assembled as a unit. The plunger has a extension made for it that has to fit the exact gauge your using and be aligned in the body so the extension floats smoothly through the threaded portion where the extension goes through. The gauge is pretty much dedicated to the unit once it is built.

Let me know if you guy's are still interested. Guessing the price would be about the same $70 plus the shipping.
 
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Hi Duke,

If you don't have any luck, Ken Retallick her in Australia can supply these with his adapters for standard and turbo plug heads.

[email protected]
Thanks.
Duke,

Sorry man I hadn't seen your post until now.

Yes I can make you one up. Do you want a analogue or digital model ?
Daniel,

Do you have a picture of the digital version?

I'm leaning towards the digital.
Duke,

I have your digital made. Unless you decide to revert to analogue then I can make it along with another I have to do for Chris here soon.

Here is the digital.

$75 shipped. Please send the Paypal to [email protected]

20160112_163310.jpg
 
Payment sent via paypal.

Digital is fine.

Thanks Daniel.

Hi Duke,
If you don't have any luck, Ken Retallick her in Australia can supply these with his adapters for standard and turbo plug heads.
[email protected]

Thanks.
Duke,

Sorry man I hadn't seen your post until now.

Yes I can make you one up. Do you want a analogue or digital model ?
Daniel,

Do you have a picture of the digital version?

I'm leaning towards the digital.
Duke,

I have your digital made. Unless you decide to revert to analogue then I can make it along with another I have to do for Chris here soon.

Here is the digital.

$75 shipped. Please send the Paypal to [email protected]

20160112_163310.jpg
 
Duke,

Shipped out today.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have the other two digital nitro standard glow plug squish gauges for Steve and Ken ready to go.
 
I was able to make a standard glow plug style with a adapter for the turbo head.

Check it out.

The price on this complete assembly with adapter so you can use it with both types is $100 shipped in the U.S.

IMG_6540.jpg


IMG_6542.jpg


IMG_6543.jpg
 
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I was able to make a standard glow plug style with a adapter for the turbo head.

Check it out.

The price on this complete assembly with adapter so you can use it with both types is $100 shipped in the U.S.

IMG_6540.jpg


IMG_6542.jpg


IMG_6543.jpg
Money sent pm shipping address

Thxs

Ken
 
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