Measuring bearing clearances

[kylel]

I finished building my 408 cleveland and it is now knocking.  I will be pulling it out of the car this week to see what is wrong, but I am suspecting a bearing problem (as that's what it sounds like, and I have re-adjusted all the rockers w/ no change).  I am wondering if my measuring tools are not accurate enough for the job.  I used a micrometer to check the crank journals and set a dial bore gauge to that to check the rods/mains.  Everything looked good to me, but maybe not...

I could go out and buy a proper dial bore gauge ($450+) and micrometer set ($300+) but since I build few engines I really can't justify it.  So i'm thinking that I should take it to a shop and have them measure out the clearances for me.  Can anybody on here recommend a local shop or person to talk with about this?

[347HO]

Cut up some new leaf gages and stick them between the bearing surface and the Babbitt.
Keep going up in thickness until the crank is firm to rotate...  your bearing clearance is the previous gage's measurement.

I'm not saying to "rotate" the crank...  just move it very slight.

I always use the plasti-gage first to get me close.

[jtmustang]

bummer dude, so was this in the new car u acquired?