Reuse of Biral barrels with Nikasil possible?

[Tom F2]

I have heard of this being done. True?

This is for a set of 2.4S barrels, which are worn beyond specification.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Tom,

Yessir, your Biral cylinders can be plated with Nikasil.

Personally, I would hone them slightly oversize to straighten the bores and assure concentricity, THEN have them plated to size.

[ajwans]

Can you recommend an outfit for this process Steve?

andy

[brads911sc]

Call Don at EBS Racing.

[Neil '67 911S]

Hi Tom,

I hope the girlfriend wasn't too irritated this PM....

Charles Navarro uses Millennium Technologies in Wisconsin to plate his "Nickies."

Millennium Technologies
1404 Pilgrim Road
Plymouth WI 53073
phone: 920-893-5595
fax: 920-893-4830
Cylinder Repair, Head Repair, Cylinder Replating Services by Millennium Technologies

email: info@mt-llc.com


My notes from May 2008:

They can Nickasil up to 4-5 thou. Plate and then hone to size is $189.95 per cylinder retail. Decking is $39.95/cylinder.

Send along your new JE pistons and MT will hone to fit. They will also coat piston crowns and skirts as desired, which I also had done to the Saint Pellow 'hot rod' motor in Ol' Blue ('67 912).

Cheers!

[Tom F2]

So, is it worth it? Besides the improved wear properties, is there a gain in power from using Nikasil in this application? How reliable is the Nikasil finish itself, on a cast iron base?

[ajwans]

I think there's a power gain to be had to using all aluminium barrels plated with
Nikasil. The pistons and cylinders will expand at the same rate so you could use
closer tolerances.

With biral cylinders this isn't true so you'd have to keep to the original specs.

andy

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Tom F2

So, is it worth it? Besides the improved wear properties, is there a gain in power from using Nikasil in this application? How reliable is the Nikasil finish itself, on a cast iron base?

I've used US Chrome for 15+ years with excellent results.

Nikasil plating is VERY hard and wears far slower than an iron surface. Further, it has less friction so there are slight reductions in drag.

You'll still need to maintain the same clearances with the Biral cylinders due to expansion rate differences (compared to an all aluminum cylinder).

[crummasel]

Hi Steve,
could you please name the process and details of coating nicasil onto the inner cast iron sleeve of a biral cylinder. Never heared of it.
It could be interesting to find a source here in germany to do the job.
Thank you,
Greetings,
Robert

[blue72s]

I like the idea of Biral cylinders plated with Nikasil because you can use steel studs instead of Dilavar ones.

But don't forget that Birals are heavier and probably run hotter. Anyone can confirm the latter?

[S hammer]

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

I've used US Chrome for 15+ years with excellent results.

Nikasil plating is VERY hard and wears far slower than an iron surface. Further, it has less friction so there are slight reductions in drag.

You'll still need to maintain the same clearances with the Biral cylinders due to expansion rate differences (compared to an all aluminum cylinder).

Any benefits to having this process applied to new Biral cylinders ? S hammer

[EBS_Don]

Millenium's services are less expensive when going through EBS. I'm just sayin'...

Seriously, we have been using them for 10+ years with outstanding results. And, yes, we can pass along a fair discount compared to their retail pricing.

Nikasil benefits on cast iron bores; less friction, less wear.