Cylinder Honing

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igino
Posts: 18
Joined: May 21st, 2010, 9:06 pm

Cylinder Honing

Post by igino »

How do you know you are keeping the inside of the cylinder straight when honing it? I'm afraid that despite my best efforts to move the tool in and out I am not evenly distributing the pressure and time spent on all parts of the cylinder.

Any tips would be appreciated =)
hardingfv32-1
Posts: 1014
Joined: December 1st, 2006, 8:01 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by hardingfv32-1 »

You measure it, but that is only one of your concerns. Do you know what type of hone, stone grits and cross hatch pattern to use?

PM me for details.

Brian
brian
Posts: 1348
Joined: June 26th, 2006, 12:31 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by brian »

Brian's right. It will take a dial bore gauge ($300) to measure and a good sound hone another $300 at least, to do the job properly. I'd suggest finding a good machine shop, one that does motorcycle stuff is even better, and have them do it for you. For a freshen up, when the cylinders are fairly sound and not scratched up, you can use a ball hone in a drill motor to remove glaze but don't expect to correct for taper or out of round. You can buy a 3", 300 grit ball hone for under $50.

As for technique, the faster the drill runs, the faster you stroke. I prefer about 50% speed. Look for a pattern of about 45 degrees.

New cylinders come with about .002 clearance over pistons. General race prep takes this clearance out to .0035 to .0045. Once cylinders get much larger than .006, the rings will become problematic with a lack of ring land support and you'll get ring flutter and leakdown at high rpm.

So you can see with just a few thousandths to play with, "homemade" becomes problematic. Good luck.
The above post is for reference only and your results may vary. This post is not intended to reflect the views or opinions of SCCA and should not be considered an analysis or opinion of the rules written in the GCR.
igino
Posts: 18
Joined: May 21st, 2010, 9:06 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by igino »

Thanks for the tips Brian -

Just trying to get a feel for what you're talking about. I can't seem to find a good honing tool online in that price range - would you mind giving me an example of a brand or model to look for?

Thanks!
Dave
Posts: 187
Joined: June 24th, 2006, 2:40 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by Dave »

Goodson.com
Dave
brian
Posts: 1348
Joined: June 26th, 2006, 12:31 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by brian »

Dave's right. I use Goodson all the time. I found my used Sunnen on ebay and spent some bucks on new stones etc.
The above post is for reference only and your results may vary. This post is not intended to reflect the views or opinions of SCCA and should not be considered an analysis or opinion of the rules written in the GCR.
hardingfv32-1
Posts: 1014
Joined: December 1st, 2006, 8:01 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by hardingfv32-1 »

I would say Brush Research makes the only good ball hones. That is probably what Goodson sell. Do a Goggle search for someone cheaper than Goodson.

http://www.brushresearch.com/flex-hone.php

Brian
Dietmar
Site Admin
Posts: 650
Joined: June 24th, 2006, 11:56 am

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by Dietmar »

Brian is correct- Brush Research makes the ball hones that Goodson sells- you might even find them on Amazon

Lisle makes a cylinder hone- believe the number on it is 16000.

Dietmar
http://www.quixoteracing.com
igino
Posts: 18
Joined: May 21st, 2010, 9:06 pm

Re: Cylinder Honing

Post by igino »

Thanks for the tips guys.

If I understand correctly, a flex hone is good for freshening up a cylinder (removing glaze and possible some light scratches) but i need a real honing tool to fix up cylinders that need to be bigger our structurally fixed. Correct?
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