Are chipped fins a deal-breaker?

[nilknarf]

Hey guys, if a used cylinder set is otherwise usable (all measurements in spec and no gas cutting on head mating surface), are a couple of broken fins a deal-breaker? The set in question is for a '76 2.7 engine that I simply want to get back on the road. I haven't seen the P&C set yet, so alas, I can't show pics yet... thanks for your time and expertise in advance!

_curt

[cstreit]

It would be helpful to have some pictures of how much is broken. A few chips and missing corners is okay. "Substantial breakage" is not as it will cause uneven cooling. Pictures will help determine this gray area.

[nilknarf]

Thanks Chris- I've requested photos of the damage- hopefully I'll be able to post some pix tomorrow.

_curt

[304065]

Used single jugs are so inexpensive it doesn't make sense to take the risk. How will you find out that one cylinder has overheated? When the piston seizes in the bore and the wrist pin boss breaks out, destroying the rod, the piston, the cylinder, the crank and punching a fist-sized window in the magnesium case?

Contact tom1394racing for used cylinders.

[nilknarf]

Yikes! John, none of what you've described sounds like anything I'm real interested in experiencing (pulled head studs were quite unwelcome enough for me)... thank you for Tom's info, I'll check in with him.

I've also been in touch with Jon at EBS racing- they have reconditioned Mahle cylinders for $750 a set- I have two sets of group-2 pistons, but I don't have the tools to properly measure them yet... do you have any experience with the re-plated cylinders from EBS?

_curt

[Henry Schmidt]

A few missing fins will have ZERO measurable effect on the engine performance. Missing fins will detract from the overall aesthetics of your project.
78-89 3.3 turbo cylinders have 75 % of the fins removed and still fuction as designed.
Replated cylinders from EBS are a very nice alternative to new Mahles.
You might find new QSC cylinders if properly inspected will also other a nice alternative.

[210bhp]

I have been looking at the qsc website for some time. Has anyone any long term experience with their cylinders and/or piston sets, specifically on quality and durability, in a rebuilt engine?

Regards
Mike

[nilknarf]

Thank you for your input Henry- I had wondered about the cylinders I've seen on the board from time-to-time that didn't have any top fins at all to speak of.

Mike, I've wondered the same thing about the QSC gear as well- there was a thread a short while ago that spoke to the Merits of the QSC stuff (Juggs and Cylinders from China?- it sounds like you'd be fairly safe with the sets that Henry inspects first...

I wish I were in a position right now to simply go for a new set of Mahles, but sometime one has to work with what one can...

_curt