FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / I made a DIY tool and saved myself $80-$300 over buying it

**Posted by Daze** 1/05/2024 7:17 PM

I am actually getting into the 393 build and I need to properly torque the rod bolts. I know the torque wrench is "good enough" but wanted the extra accuracy of measuring rod bolt stretch. I went online to find a budget tool but was horrified to see they were $80-$300. I already had a dial indicator, a push rod, some 5/8" key stock and miscellaneous hardware so I decided to make my own fixture for my indicator. I am very pleased with how it turned out.

**Posted by Bentworker** 1/05/2024 11:44 PM

Nice!

**Posted by rpm** 1/06/2024 12:19 AM

Outstanding. That's the way to do it.

**Posted by RTM** 1/06/2024 5:12 AM

Great idea. What are you using to set/zero your measurement?

**Posted by Daze** 1/06/2024 3:32 PM

RTM wrote:
Great idea. What are you using to set/zero your measurement?

I will installit on the bolts/rods and and then turn the dial to 0º

**Posted by Daze** 1/06/2024 7:58 PM

Already made some improvements. Added a tension spring to help secure it when in use and shortened the lower strut so it doesn’t hit the connecting rod.

**Posted by Greg B** 1/06/2024 9:18 PM

That's great!

And later on in your project, yon can make a push rod length checker with another push rod and some fine thread!

**Posted by RV6** 1/07/2024 2:23 PM

Way cool! Bolt stretch for the win!

**Posted by Bolted to Floor** 6/18/2024 11:39 AM

That's a great idea.