rod bearings and checking the journals

[David Pertuz]

With spring and decent weather comes time for car maintenance again, and my 
SE-R is at the top of the list. First thing it needs is new rod bearings, 
which, at 230k, have started to get a little noisy when cold, and an 
analysis of my last oil change confirmed it. I've been babying it, and have 
barely driven it since August or September.

Given the mileage (unlike replacing bearings on a "new" imported engine 
from Soko, say, where you are doing it for due diligence) I am not sure I 
can take for granted that I can just replace the bearings with the same 
grades. So I am assuming I will want to measure the journals.....but with 
what? My memory of the amount of space involved tells me I can't fit a mike 
in there. Is plastigauge any good under the circumstances? If the journal 
surfaces look good am I likely to be OK with putting in new bearings of the 
same grade?

Also, are any of the old-timey folk here going to the convention this year? 
Just curious.

thanks,
David