After months of searching and reading, I still have NO solid answer as to if I need to align-hone my LSVTEC.

I'm using the main caps from a B18C5, as well as the girdle that came attached to them.

My question is, do I REALLY need to align-hone this thing or not?

** This is a question for serious engine builders only! I don't want some ignorant automatic response from some kid that thinks he knows what he's talking about because something else on Honda-Tech said so! **

...Thank you very much in advance.
- Derek

 

If your using a different set of main caps, then I would definetly have the block line honed. I dont think it will require clearancing the mains, but the stones will just have to "kiss" the block and mains. Just my $.02

 

not a "serious engine builder" but ive put em together, and i guess you could just put it together and check clearances. OR spend like $70 bucks or something and get it done, and you know your starting off on the right.

 

yes you need to align bore, the clearances only tell you at one point of the bore, the caps can be out of round and therefore needing the align bore. I usually do it when changing caps, I find the best matching caps then have it align bored.

 

I vote yes, you do.

 

yes, you have to have it align honed

 

I would for sure. Well worth the money in the long run. The caps could be slightly different in diameter from your LS block or out of round. Better safe than sorry in my book.

 

So the machine shop just needs the main caps with the block?

Do they need the main bolts as well?

It's at the machine shop right now, so I need to know.

 

They need caps and bolts.

 

and girdle too since its an ITR

 

Absolutly, HHHEEELLLLLLLL YES! It's the right thing to do

 

Absolutely!!! YES !!!! The odds of the bores in the caps from 1 motor being identical with another block would be 1 in about a billion. It has to be align bored first to position the bore and then honed to size. Send caps, bolts or studs if your using them, and the girdle. Ask the shop doing it for torque specs. and sequence as well as lubricant used so you can duplicate it during assy. If you don't your waisting your time and money assembeling the motor.

 

Alright, the machine shop called me today and said everything was done.

I still haven't had them align bore anything yet.

I was wondering if the machine shop could tell me if the mains where in round?

Or is there any kind of bore gauge that I could use to measure the roundness of the journals?

Thanks again,
- Derek

 

I guess I'm in the minority here.
I don't waste money on things that aren't needed.
Have the machine shop check to see if it needs done before spending money on something that might not need done.
I've built many engines and I've never needed it done.
If you are changing main caps then yes it needs done but if you are using the ones that came with the block then it's not required.

A bore gauge will tell the machinist if they are round and a straight edge will tell him it they are in line with each other.

Good luck.
Where in Carlisle are you getting this done?
I've used Rider's in the past. They are over in Mechanicsburg at the end of 114 where the new UniMart is. They do great work, but sometimes 4 cylinder stuff takes a while. Last I heard the son was running the place and things were getting done faster and still in spec.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DonF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I vote yes, you do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Listen to this man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnnieChimpo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where in Carlisle are you getting this done?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

UCF Machine Shop.

 

Hmmm, never heard of them.

Ask them if they've done business with Dynamic in Dillsburg.

All the shops I've been to in the area say they will never deal with them again.

Good luck with your project.

 

Its a good idea to get it done

 

Why is this site so filled with psudo-experts, regurgitating what they read someone else say?

Align honing is like an abortion, you either need it or you don't. You don't just get an abortion after every time you have sex. You go see the doctor and he tells you you're pregnant, then you get one.

When rebuilding an engine you go to the doctor, the machine shop, and you get tested. If you fail the test, then yes you need one. If you pass then there's no need to have it done.

 

So would you need it if you are using non-native bearing caps?

 

hey man wassup??? i def recomend line boring the bottem end.. especially if you are using the main caps from a totally diffrent block..it also helps with the balancing as well and an even amount of oil flow across the mains to keep the crank spinning freely.... especially at high RPMS...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So would you need it if you are using non-native bearing caps?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, obviously. The odds of the 6 pieces fitting together perfectly without needing machining are against you in a huge way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnnieChimpo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes, obviously. The odds of the 6 pieces fitting together perfectly without needing machining are against you in a huge way.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well the first post said he was using a LS block and Type-R main caps and girdle so thats why us psudo-experts were saying to have it honed.

I think everyone agrees to get it honed. Good luck with the build.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnnieChimpo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hmmm, never heard of them.

Ask them if they've done business with Dynamic in Dillsburg.

All the shops I've been to in the area say they will never deal with them again.

Good luck with your project.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes. They DO business with Dynamic Motorsports. Not just have done. Funny you bring that whole topic of them up.

Anyway... Groundhog, you might as well get it done if it needs align-honed. Just extra insurance. You'll get the build done eventually... I know you projected it like three months ago.

Keep the head high and don't worry about the auto-LS into the del Sol blunder.

 

The auto-LS into the Del Slow situation is BS.

Anyway, I just called, they're doing it for $180.