Car Inspection Go/No-Go Gauge Instructions

Required Tools

1. Small flat head screwdriver
2. Small phillips head screwdriver
3. Wood glue

Note: Glue can be applied to any of the wood joints for added strength, if desired.

Assembly Instructions 1. Attach the Clearance Checker (Part A) to the bottom piece (Part B), using the two 5/8” phillips head screws. The hole end of the Clearance Checker will line up with the edge of the bottom piece.
2. Attach Part C to the bottom assembly using two 3/4” slotted screws.
3. Attach Part D using four 3/4” slotted screws.
4. Remove the protective film on both sides of the clear plastic sheet. 5. Attach the clear plastic sheet, as shown, using four 3/4” slotted screws
6. Place the Height Checker (Part E) between the clear plastic sheet and Part D. Secure with four 3/4” slotted screws. Note: If your rules allow pinewood derby cars over 3” in height, then the Height Checker can be omitted.
7. Place one washer on a 3/4” slotted screw then insert the screw through the hole in the door (Part F).  Slide the second washer on the end of the screw and then secure the door to the end of the inspection gauge.  Tighten until snug, but not so tight that the door will not pivot open easily.
8. Cut the wooden dowel to a length that will correspond to the height of your track’s start pins above the track surface. 9. Apply a small amount of wood glue to one of the ends of the dowel and insert it into the hole of the Clearance Checker (Part A).

Inspection Gauge Usage

1. Pivot the door open, drive the Pinewood Derby car into the inspection gauge and close the door.
2. Car Dimension Checking - If the car fits fully inside the inspection gauge, then the car meets the standard dimension limits (max 3” height, max 2-3/4” width, max 7” length, and min 1-3/4” wheel spacing).
   
   Note: If your rules allow a height greater than 3”, then you will need some other way to determine if the maximum height is being exceeded.
   
   
3. Underbody Clearance Checking - If the bottom of the car rubs on the Clearance Checker, then the car does not meet the minimum 3/8” underbody clearance.  However, you may want to test the car on the curved section of your track to determine if the car will really have a problem rubbing on the lane strips.
   
   Note: You can pick up the inspection gauge, being careful to hold the door closed, and look between the underside of the car and the Clearance Checker (on either side of the inspection gauge) to see what part of the car is dragging.
   
   
4. Wheelbase Checking - If your organization has restrictions on wheelbase, you can make marks on the top edge of the back panel or on the edge of the inspection slot.  You can then compare the car wheelbase with those marks.
5. Start Pin Checking – Check the front of the car to make sure that no part of it extends past the leading edge of the pin.  Also, check that the car doesn’t extend over the pin.  You may need to confirm with the racer on which end is the front of the car.

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