Course: Ag Mech & Tech

Unit: Small Engines

Lesson: Measuring Engine Components
Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify measuring and testing equipment for internal combustion engines.
2. Identify the specifications of an internal combustion engine.
3. Explain four major specifications to be checked on small engines.
4. Identify micrometer parts.
5. Determine micrometer reading.

Materials:
Measuring Engine Components Lesson Plan (2 copies)
Measuring Engine Components PPT
Micrometer Reading PPT
Smart Board & Computer
Paper & Pencil

Vocabulary:
Compression gage: helps in determining if there is a problem with the cylinder, piston rings,
valves, or gaskets. (lbs per square foot)
Dial indicator: recognizes the spacing between two surfaces and records readings of the dial
needle.
Flat feeler gage: recognizes the spacing between two surfaces.
Inside micrometer set: determines the inside of a cylinder.
Micrometer caliper: precision measuring tool for taking outside measurements.
Plastigage: a thin, plastic, threadlike material used to measure the clearance between the bearing
journal on a crankshaft and the bearing rod cap.
Round-wire gage: used in measuring the electrode gap of spark plugs.
Tachometers: used for reading revolutions per minute.
Telescoping gage: a tool used for measuring inside diameter.
Torque wrench: the hand tool used to measure the amount of torque which bolts and nuts must
be tightened to.

Situation:
There are 15 students in the 1st section of Ag Mech & Tech, with no IEPs or 504 plans.
Prior to this lesson, the students have learned the Engine Parts and have just taken a test over that
part of the unit. Today the students will be learning more in depth about measuring engine
components.

Review/ Interest Approach: (10 minutes)

To start the lesson, students will answer the bell-ringer question in their notebooks. The
question is:
The answer is:
As an addition to the interest approach, the class will review the tests they took yesterday.
We will go over the correct answers and discuss any questions the students may have.
Procedure: (30 minutes)
The first half of this lesson will be the Measuring Engine Components PPT.
1. Slides 1-20 are definitions that we will read through as a review the students completed
a worksheet over these terms one week ago.
2. Slide 21: Specifications
3. Slides 22-26: Major Specifications
a. Fuel use fuel that is recommended by the manufacturer if you put in the wrong
fuel, it could cause engine damage.
i. Carburetor adjustments can have less air or more air coming into the
carburetor and mixing with fuel.
b. Oxygen Need clean air in order for combustion to occur.
i. Debris and contaminants are bad for the engine.
c. Compression Serious problems if no compression. Why maybe bad valves,
bad head gasket, etc. What happens engine will not start without compression.
i. Test method pull the starter rope, no resistance = no compression.
ii. Test with a compression gage.
d. Ignition routinely check spark plugs; engine will not start if spark plugs arent
working.
4. 4. Slide 27: Setting the gap on a Spark Plug
a. Have to adjust the distance between the center and the side electrodes so that they
fire efficiently. Adjusting the distance is called gapping your spark plugs. Use a
feeler gage to get the right distance.
5. Slide 28: Review Questions
The second half of this lesson will be the Micrometer Reading PPT.
1. Slides 3-5: The parts to a micrometer
2. Slides 6-8: How to read the sleeve.
3. Slides 9-14: Examples for how to read the micrometer.
4. Slides 15-16: Quick Review.

Closure: (5 minutes)
The closure for this lesson will be addressing any student concerns or questions. I will also
review with them as time allows.
1. What are some of the instruments used for measuring internal combustion engines?
a. Micrometer caliper, inside micrometer, flat feeler gage, dial indicator, round-
wire gage, plastigage, torque wrench, compression gage, telescoping gage,
and tachometers.
2. What are four major specifications that are commonly checked on small engines?
a. Fuel, Oxygen, Compression, and Ignition.

Assessment:
Students will be asked questions throughout the lesson. The students will be formally assessed
over this at a later date.