Mixing KS and Mahle cylinders

[yelcab1]

I am repairing a 87 Carrera with Alusil cylinders. one is cracked. If I can't find KS, is it possible to replace with a Mahle Nikasil cylinder and piston set? Is there a problem when the other five cylinders find out that the sixth brother is not from the same mother? Will they play nice?

[tom1394racing]

The Nikasil piston will have a different weight and will cause an out of balance problem.

[Roslin]

Please be aware of that the piston rings for Nicasil cylinders and for Alusil cylinders are not made of the same material /hardness , and may not be mixed mutually.

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by Roslin

Please be aware of that the piston rings for Nicasil cylinders and for Alusil cylinders are not made of the same material /hardness , and may not be mixed mutually.

So I am told that. But there is only one part number for rings at Pelican. Do you have another part number to use?

[Eagledriver]

I don't know for sure but I think the Alusil piston will work fine in a Nickasil cylinder. The reverse would not be true. The trick for you will be to get the same height group in the new cylinder. Wouldn't it be cheaper to get another Alusil?

-Andy

[SCadaddle]

Originally Posted by Eagledriver

I don't know for sure but I think the Alusil piston will work fine in a Nickasil cylinder. The reverse would not be true.-Andy

Hopefully in less than 24 hours I'll be able to confirm this. I've set the Vegas line on the over/under at 30 minutes. So far I've got one taker on the "over". Wish me luck and Godspeed 64C00097!

[Brtuffli]

I have a question for the group. I have 2 bad cylinders that need to be replace due to blown head gasket due to loosened up head bolts.

I have Mahle cylinders on my 78 3.0. 1-2-3 are in good shape. 4-5-6 need to be replaced. any issues with using the original Mahle on the 1-2-3 side and "new" K-B's on the 4-5-6 side? the tolerance and size group are the same.

My other option is to replace all 6 but that would be replacing 3 that might not need to be replaced. The car has 32,000 miles if that matters I am not planning sell the car anytime soon and not really worried about resale. Just want troublefree driving.

Thanks in advance

[Brtuffli]

I have a question for the group. I have 2 bad cylinders that need to be replace due to blown head gasket due to loosened up head bolts.

I have Mahle cylinders on my 78 3.0. 1-2-3 are in good shape. 4-5-6 need to be replaced. any issues with using the original Mahle on the 1-2-3 side and "new" KS's on the 4-5-6 side? the tolerance and size group are the same.

My other option is to replace all 6 but that would be replacing 3 that might not need to be replaced. The car has 32,000 miles if that matters I am not planning sell the car anytime soon and not really worried about resale. Just want troublefree driving.

Thanks in advance

[tom1394racing]

The problem is that you need to use KS pistons with the KS cylinders. You can't use Nikasil pistons/rings with Alusil cylinders. The KS piston will weigh different that the Mahle piston and you will have a balance problem. If you need 2 or 3 good reusable Mahle Nikasil cylinders, PM me. I have them available.

[Trackrash]

^^^+1
I had to replace one of my Mahle cylinders and it was not a problem to find a good replacement.

[Brtuffli]

[Brtuffli]

Does this mean 1,3 or 6 replacements?

[tom1394racing]

I can probably match that piston. You have an email from me.

[Brtuffli]

Looks like 496 grams w/o carbon

[Brtuffli]

[Brtuffli]

wo wrist pin but it did have one circlip still in the piston.

[tom1394racing]

Are the rings in the piston?

[Brtuffli]

No