I was measuring the crank / bearing clearances earlier, with micrometers things were well in spec, looking like zero crank wear, and the bearings ar new and measured up correctly.

However a double check with plastigauge showed too much clearance, the plastic has been open about 9 months, so I assumed it had passed its shelf life.

But a google search shows about equal results for it having a shelf life and not, does anyone have a definative, I can see it drying out once the cellophane is opened??

To be fair its pretty cheap, so just get a new packet ?

I always use it for checking clearances and just use the mic's for checking ovality and taper on crank journals

Yes I agree, its cheap enough, I just wondered if it had dried out and was giving me a false reading..... I does seem to have gone a duller red from what I remember....

You can always ring them up and ask...