Opinions on tools
Looking at the B&B dial bore gauge, also what is the prefered type of mic to check crank cam etc.

Never considered a digital but should I? do the digitals convert from metric to standard if needed?

Any prefered brands on this type stuff and what else should I look into getting?

 

Mitutoyo is pretty much the industry standard. Starret, Brown&Sharpe, SPI are also good gauges. I use the digitals because they convert in/mm, and will do step measurements. If you don't use them frequently it's an expensive investment for the digitals - the manual gauges can be had for $350-600 on ebay.

I use Sunnen dial bore guages.