Block Prep Question

[iobound]

I'm starting a winter rebuild project. I bought a block, head, cambox, and intake manifold. This is my first rebuild. My '88' NA will stay on the road until the new motor is complete then I'll do the swap over a weekend.

My new block looks clean with no scratches or gouging but I was thinking of boring it .02 over to clean up and make sure the cylinders are round.

I was thinking of using JE pistons to get a bump in compression from the current 10.2 to 10.9. But I have a couple of questions. I've read a bunch of threads but I'm not 100% clear on a couple of things.

If I use JE pistons to get a bump in compression to 10.9 do I need to bore and sleeve to change the cylinder material?

Should the new sleeved cylinders be honed?

Other than new seals and bearings is there anything else I need to do to the balance shafts?

Thanks in advance!

[ae1969]

Uhmmm well if you use JE pistons to bump up compression you will need to have them coated...........and in my opinion I would never do that. The JE pistons are not be compatible with the alusil finish in our engines.....

If you bore and sleeve then you can bump up the compression as you see fit..... This would be the best way. If you were to go this way I would definitely increase the displacement as well...

Sleeving these blocks is also controversial. In turbo cars you can have the sleeves move on you. It seems to me that having the sleeves fit properly is like voodoo magic in these blocks. Its risky but can definitely be worth the effort......

If you decide to use sleeves they should come ready to go..... they normally use a honing procedure on those unlike our blocks that need to have a chemical etching done to expose crystals that the rings actually ride on....

In regards to the balance shafts....these rarely fail...but a new set of bearings and seals is a good thing..........

[iobound]

Thanks for setting some things straight! I need to have a bunch of conversations and do some more homework. I'll post again on my rebuild. I am eager to get started.