The Ford Barn

corvette8n · 05-13-2024, 08:16 AM

What brand straight ruler do you use to check head/blocks flatness?, and where the best place to get one? Thanks.

KiWinUS · 05-13-2024, 08:37 AM

I have a Starrett that was my dad’s that I brought back from NZ earlier this year. At least 50 years old but like new.

rockfla · 05-13-2024, 08:45 AM

My machinist gave me a piece of machined 3/8" thick by 2" wide Aluminum about 2' long. I also use a SPI 18" flexible ruler on body panels both to check for highs and lows as well as marking straight lines across curved panels etc etc. SPI also makes a "rigid" rule as well

SPI rule - https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/69746063

tom1948 · 05-13-2024, 11:06 AM

ditto on the starrett ruler, I've been using mine for over 40 years, still has a perfect edge

Ggmac · 05-13-2024, 12:42 PM

I use one made or should I say sold by snap on in the late 70s

cadillac512 · 05-13-2024, 03:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You can get "close" with a good ruler but a proper ground machinist straight edge is really what's needed to measure such things.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32449327307...Bk9SR4DaiLruYw

Flathead Fever · 05-13-2024, 03:37 PM

Another vote for a Starrett. Make sure its long enough to other engines as well.

Bored&Stroked · 05-13-2024, 05:16 PM

I'd get a 24" Starret . . . you should be able to find a good used on eBay. Make sure you get the thicken one (that isn't flexible). Another option is McMaster-Carr - and a precision ground and heat-treated length of rectangular bar stock. Depending on the part#, you can usually get one with a +- .001 tolerance.

Kurt in NJ · 05-14-2024, 01:03 PM

https://www.tooldiscounter.com/search?q=straight+edge

corvette8n · 05-16-2024, 07:32 AM

Thanks guys now I have some choices.

05-13-2024, 08:16 AM	#1
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,967	Need recommendations straight ruler. What brand straight ruler do you use to check head/blocks flatness?, and where the best place to get one? Thanks.

05-13-2024, 08:37 AM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,984	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. I have a Starrett that was my dad’s that I brought back from NZ earlier this year. At least 50 years old but like new.

05-13-2024, 08:45 AM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 4,022	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. My machinist gave me a piece of machined 3/8" thick by 2" wide Aluminum about 2' long. I also use a SPI 18" flexible ruler on body panels both to check for highs and lows as well as marking straight lines across curved panels etc etc. SPI also makes a "rigid" rule as well SPI rule - https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/69746063

05-13-2024, 11:06 AM	#4
tom1948 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: west palm beach florida Posts: 183	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. ditto on the starrett ruler, I've been using mine for over 40 years, still has a perfect edge

05-13-2024, 12:42 PM	#5
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,129	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. I use one made or should I say sold by snap on in the late 70s

05-13-2024, 03:23 PM	#6
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 979	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You can get "close" with a good ruler but a proper ground machinist straight edge is really what's needed to measure such things. https://www.ebay.com/itm/32449327307...Bk9SR4DaiLruYw __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

05-13-2024, 03:37 PM	#7
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,102	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. Another vote for a Starrett. Make sure its long enough to other engines as well.

05-13-2024, 05:16 PM	#8
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,197	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. I'd get a 24" Starret . . . you should be able to find a good used on eBay. Make sure you get the thicken one (that isn't flexible). Another option is McMaster-Carr - and a precision ground and heat-treated length of rectangular bar stock. Depending on the part#, you can usually get one with a +- .001 tolerance.

05-14-2024, 01:03 PM	#9
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,174	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. https://www.tooldiscounter.com/search?q=straight+edge

05-16-2024, 07:32 AM	#10
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,967	Re: Need recommendations straight ruler. Thanks guys now I have some choices.