In a message dated 98-05-04 18:11:42 EDT, bayer@SYBASE.COM writes:

<<         I was hoping someone might tell me what blue printing is. From
 what I gather, it seems to be used when checking for straightness and maybe
 to verify that sealing surfaces are flat. I get the image of taking a part
 and pressing it on carbon paper or something similiar to make a print - is
 this close? >>

It is actually kind-of slang. "Blueprinting" actually refers to putting the
motor to ABSOLUTE specifications.

During the normal manufacturing process, it is cost prohibitive to make the
parts of the motor exactly as the "blue print" specifies. One cylinder may be
a few cc's larger than another, one piston a tad heavier, the crankshaft
journal for the #4 cylinder may be .005 degrees ahead of where it should be,
etc.

Regular machine shop work negates much of this, but usually seeks to bring
part  within a certain tollerance: e.g. "Pistons should weigh 145 grams, (+/-
3 grams)". "Blueprinting" brings it all to "ZERO" out of tollerance, e.g.
"Pistons weigh 145 grams."

By the weigh, (tee-hee) it is worth the extra $$$ usually about $200 to have
the motor blueprinted. Smooth as silk.

gmbulley
cary, nc