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Prepping a Caterpillar engine block deck for cylinder head reassembly after a counterbore machining job or liner insert swap? Guessing liner protrusion using standard feeler gauges or uncalibrated depth micrometers is a direct recipe for blown head gaskets, crushed fire rings, and catastrophic coolant-into-oil contamination. The M10246 Precision Liner Height Gauge provides dead-flat, ground-reference sled stability to measure cylinder liner protrusion down to thousandths of an inch across all deck cylinders.

The Critical Engineering of Caterpillar Wet Cylinder Liner Protrusion

On heavy-duty Caterpillar diesel powerplants—including 3306, 3406, C12, C15, and C18 platforms—the wet cylinder liner flange rests on a machined counterbore ledge within the engine block deck. For the multi-layer steel (MLS) or composite cylinder head gasket to clamp evenly and seal extreme peak combustion pressures, every cylinder liner must protrude above the flat block deck face within strict, microscopic OEM tolerances (typically +0.003″ to +0.006″ with no more than 0.001″ variation between adjacent cylinders). If a liner sits too low or un-level due to counterbore wear or improper shim thickness, the head gasket fire ring cannot achieve sufficient crush pressure. Combustion flame blows straight past the gasket lip, torching the block deck and filling the cooling system with high-pressure gas. Conversely, if a liner sits too high, the cylinder head flexes during bolt torquing, cracking the cast-iron head deck or leaking oil into coolant passages. The M10246 Liner Height Gauge completely eliminates deck measurement errors. Featuring a precision-ground bottom sled face that bridges the cylinder bore without tipping, it holds a sensitive dial indicator dead-perpendicular to the block face—allowing machinists and field techs to record precise, repeatable liner height profiles before torquing the head down.

• Targeted Caterpillar Platform Compatibility – Engineered custom to match Caterpillar block deck geometry, serving as a direct replacement for CAT **1P-2402** / **1P2402**.
• Precision-Ground Reference Base Plate – Ultra-flat ground bottom sled surface provides a wobble-free mechanical zero reference across the engine block deck face.
• Comprehensive Tooling Kit Package – Supplied with an extra indicator contact tip and a rugged protective carry case for daily shop and field service mobility.
• Prevents Head Gasket Failure & Fire Ring Blowouts – Enables exact shim selection to guarantee uniform liner protrusion and equal gasket crush pressure.
• Multi-Dimensional Metrology Application – Functions expertly as a liner protrusion gauge, counterbore depth gauge, and block deck sled gauge.

Stop Guessing Cylinder Liner Height. Command Total Engine Assembly Accuracy.

The M10246 Caterpillar 1P-2402 Liner Height Gauge is an indispensable capital asset for commercial diesel engine rebuilders, Caterpillar machine overhaul shops, field service technicians, and automotive precision machine facilities. Eliminate gasket blown-outs, ensure accurate shim stack selection, and measure block decks with complete mechanical certainty using Apex.

Technical Specifications

Technical Metric	Value / Metrology Fitment Guidelines
Engine Compatibility Profile	Caterpillar Diesel Engines (3306, 3406, C12, C15, C18, etc.)
Primary Operational Functions	1. Liner protrusion measurement; 2. Counterbore depth profiling; 3. Deck flatness checking
OEM Special Tool Cross Reference	Direct functional replacement for CAT 1P-2402 / 1P2402
Base Sled Construction	Precision-ground hardened steel reference plate for maximum stability
Included Accessories	Dial depth gauge, extension indicator tip, and heavy-duty protective carry case
Typical Service Applications	Counterbore machining, shim sizing, cylinder liner installation, top-end overhauls

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