Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines engine rebuilding tool advice?

It looks like my wintertime entertainment is going to be centered around rebuilding the 153 in my CJ2a. Any advice on tools I may need? I own mics and dial calipers, a small tubing thickness mic and a depth mic, but I'm thinking I will need a larger outside mic, and an inside mic. I see a lot of Starret 124s on eBay, (.001),and a whole variety of newer dial and digital bore indicators that claim .0005. I've had 4 or 5 calipers over the years, both dial and digital, and they have been a real mixed bag for both accuracy and durability. This makes me question the under $100 bore indicators. But maybe there are some good ones?
I'm hoping some of you with more real experience in engine rebuilding can steer me to what makes sense without breaking the bank.

Bore gauges are very important. But the ones I use are VERY expensive. Outside mics are relatively cheap. You could get the telescoping bore gage and get practiced at measuring them. I have used a Mitutoyo bore gauge and they do work well. Much prefer the Sunnen bore gauges.

I think I could spring for a Mitutoyo bore gauge. Sunnen looks out of my budget. And a set of Mitutoyo or older used Starrett outside mics with standards. Could I set up the bore gauge using the outside mics? The last thing I bought new from Starrett was a 6" dial caliper which came with a plastic dial ring that split the first time I used it. I was not impressed. So I'm leaning towards Mitutoyo for my budget on this.

Will you have a machine shop bore the block & grind the crank? If so let them do all of that measuring. If you can measure close enough to know it need that shop work you can get by with plastagauge to check bearing fit & feeler gauges for rings and crank/cam end slop. A bit simplistic but assembling the right parts that have properly machined isn't a big deal. The hardest part is finding a reliable shop.

Mitutoyo is good and so is Sunnen. Consider mics and measuring equipment as an investment. Don't be swayed by cheaper brands and cheaper prices.

I found a set of used Mitutoyo 0" - 4" mics on eBay, and a Mitutoyo 511-166 2' - 6" dial bore gauge. I'll pull the spare motor apart and see what I have before making a decision on having it bored. I have my fingers crossed that I can get away with a "redneck rebuild" on one of them, (rings, valves and standard bearings). I have a marine head that's been checked and decked and new valves, springs, rockers and rods for it. We'll see where I land. I now a great machine shop, downside is the cost, and that he's 120 miles away.

I have gotton into a few major rebuilds that should have been much simpler & cheaper. If you can make it better with rings & bearings take that route. If you can use one engine to get it on the road and maybe do a through rebuild on the other one as time & money allows.

We'll see what the cylinders look like. The 153 is an I-4 with 5 main bearings, rings and valves seem to be the usual culprits, from what the marina guys tell me.

If both of your blocks have the same bore One v8 (283?) piston, ring, and rod bearing set would do both. Lifters & valve springs too. Valves are the same too but you have to pick through the size choices.