Cylinder Advice Needed
 

Hello All,

Just tearing into a '82 SC 3.0 (80,5xx miles) for head stud replacement and noticed that one cylinder has a pit in the cylinder wall and a slight score mark as shown in the attached photos. Cylinder is Alusil. The score mark is perceptible to touch, but does not catch a fingernal. The pit is fairly significant, you can definitely feel it with a fingernail and it almost looks like a casting defect. Could this even be possible?

I'm weighing my options and I have done some research but am interested in the opionions of those more knowledgeable than I. Should I...

1. Just run it (I know, not likely a good idea, but you never know).
2. Send just that cylinder out and have it bored and replated with nikasil and re-ringed.
3. Send them ALL out to get bored, replated and re-ringed.
4. Try and find a good used piston and cylinder of the same height group.
5. Get a new piston and cylinder - if you can even buy singles.

I don't think there's any hope of honing the imperfection out (via a grape hone), and it may be too deep to even bore/replate.

Just weighing my options and sincerely appreciate any and all advice and opinions.

Thanks!
Brian Petry
Springboro, OH


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1395603039.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1395603101.jpg

Yeah, it looks like to salvage that cylinder, if it is indeed salvageable, has to be removed for a closer look and dimensional inspection. Possibly hard to tell from pcitures, but it looks like there is no cross hatch marks on the cylinder. Are your other cylinders in similar shape in the regard?

I would inspect the other cylinders to get an overall assessment of all the pistons and cylinders and then seek out the best solution.

In my opinion, mixing and matching (1 vs 5) should only be considered if your budget is too constrained. Otherwise, you may want to contact EBS for a used set of Nikasil cylinders and pistons.

If you post the height group I imagine you'll get flooded with PMs of decent used cylinders for sale. If that is the only bad one, R&R with another and you should be gtg.

I've only taken the heads off of one side, but none of the three on that side showed any visible cross hatching. Except for the defects on #6 all three are quite similar, very smooth looking with no marks of any kind. Car ran well with very little oil consumption. I believe the 85k mileage is correct based on the title and overall condition of the vehicle. Never did a compression or leak down, pulled valve covers for adjustment and found broken studs on outboard #4 & 6 bottoms and dropped motor.

Thanks for the replies, I removed the remaining cylinders and they are all in good shape. Given that, I think I'm going to try and source a good used cylinder and go from there.

You don't see a good cross hatch in alucil cylinders.
Bruce

A follow up on this thread for others in the same situation.

I ended up posting a request in the classifieds for a used replacement P&C to match my screwed up one... The first to reply was Tom Butler (Tom's Rennshop). Ended up sending him my 5 good P&C's for inspection and he cleaned and inspected and found a good used one to complete my set. Sent my dirty carboned-up set out to him on Thursday April 3rd and today, April 12th received back 6 brand new-looking P&Cs and a spec sheet showing that all are within tolerance for a successful rebuild

I know there is a ton of good feedback here and elsewhere on Tom's work, but I had to relate my experience for posterity. I consider his work and product to be a bargain at twice the price (and I'm not kidding)!

Now I just need to get my order in to Pelican for my gaskets/etc. to finish the job. I had no expectations they would be back this fast.

Brian Petry
Springboro, OH

Tom os a great guy, both to purchase parts from and to hang out with. He has a great amount of knowledge and a knack for finding parts.