If i were to blow a piston(ringlands are prob the weakest link) is it very likley that i will damage the sleeves enough that it would need to be bored? I would like to replace the pistons/rods with the engine in the car and stick to stock bore. A damaged sleeve would really throw off my plans. How often is the sleeve damaged to the point where a hone cant fix and boring is necessary? thanks
-john

 

I cracked my ringlands in 8 spots..yes EIGHT..didn't damage the rings at all...and my sleeves were as good as new....not even a scratch...

I held up a very bright flouroscent light next to the sleeves, and not even a single scratch on the sleeves....and very closely, I can still see the honing patern (cross hatch)

 

Ring seal is key....get it honed...you can do that with it in the car. If it looks suspect at all, pull it out and bore and hone. It will treat you better in the end.....Mike

 

also keep in mind, even if you can still see the cross hatching, its always best to hone it. I've seen numberous instances where people skipped this step, only to have oil consumption problems soon there after. Do it right the first time so you dont have to do it again.

 

i am going to hone either way but im just hoping that im not going to have to bore because i want to leave the engine in the car otherwise i will have to rent a hoist and engine stand...plus my garage is tiny. Just curious if it is common to have to bore after blowing a piston

 

ttt anyone else have any stories about blowing their engine

 

You need a dial bore guage to run up and down the cylinder. It can look perfect and still be balooned out, out of round or tapered. You can't see .003 of variance but it can be there and can ruin your rebuild