Visual inspection of cylinder walls

[mscromer]

What do I need to look for Visually on the cylinder walls. to know if they are in good shape?

[ae1969]

If you can run and catch your fingernail on it..... you might have a thou for a score. I would live with that. Some wouldn't....

Any more than that...... start looking for another engine.

IF this is the first time you are looking at these cylinders. They are going to look odd to you (if you come from the domestic world). They look glazed and grey and you will wonder how in the world the rings will seat properly.

If there is damage it will be obvious .... most common .... piston slap, ring gouges (broken, weak)...... These are bad and I would be looking for a new block.

If you were to measure the cylinder you will find that the cylinder has become tapered. If the engine was running prior to this with no problems. I would not worry about it.

There are tolerance specs for these things but if you have to think of boring a new hole.......I would just opt to find another running engine.

[mscromer]

Hey ae1969 let me ask you another question. This engine I got has been sitting for about 10 years. How would you go about dismanteling the engine. Im was going to spray some penetrating oil in the cylinders to loosen up the rings and then take the pistons out. Also after that can I use some mild scotch bright and some carb cleaner to clean the cylinder walls of any gunk that might exist, without harming anything, so I can take some measurments. Does this sound OK?

[nynor]

don't hone the cylinder walls at all. if you do, they are toast. that means no scotch bright.

[VINMAN]

Pour some ATF or marvel mystery oil in the cylinders. Let it soak a while. Slowly work the pistons out. Ive dismantled rusting marine engines that were submerged in saltwater that way.

[Razorback1980]

I would go with Vinny's suggestion...personally I use Marvel Mystery Oil but ATF isn't bad either. Also, according to the Porsche sources I read and what I was told by an engine builder, they recommended soap and water to clean the cylinders using a pressure washer. No scouring or scraping of any kind. Then do what Alex indicated about measuring them to see if they are oversize or out of round. If they are beyond the tolerances, then you have to decide if you want to pay for boring and new pistons or find another engine. Personally, I couldn't find ANYONE that had the machine to bore the cylinders on these motors in Houston...not even the Porsche dealer here which totally surprised me. I have no idea what the 911 motors require, I would have thought it would be a similar process but obviously I was wrong...or the Porsche dealer didn't want to work on my 944. They actually told me that they don't even work on the 944 any longer as they don't have the technicians to do the work and they recommended another garage that works on German cars. That garage didn't do boring either.

[mscromer]

Hey, thanks allot for the great info guys, I have never payed too much attention to the engine rebuild threads cause I never thought I would rebuild one, but now I have somewhere to start. I got this block to cheap so I had to get it. I'm sure when I actually start on it I will have more questions for y'all. Again Thanks!

[cchyper]

You can hone them... i did, you have to have it done correctly!

Fordahl Racing Suggests: Accurate Engines in Kirkland Wa.

[nynor]

MID sleeving.