Went to get my block honed. The machinist says I need to bring in the new pistons so he can acurately hone the block.
Is this common practice?

 

some companies have ridiculous skirt tolerances and some companies do not

 

common practice? not really (not just for a hone) a good idea? yes. he obviously cares about your engine and his reputation (he's gonna measure everything, and match each cylinder to a piston, or at least just make sure everything's right)

 

normal when tight clearances are asked for

 

Thats cool, its not like I refused to give him my pistons, I just had not heard of doing this before. I told him I am building the motor myself so I guess he'll mark 1-2-3-4 pistons for me.

 

common to most who know/care to do it properly.

 

sounds like you found yourself a good machinist

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by unusual71 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like you found yourself a good machinist</TD></TR></TABLE>

Absolutely.

 

Better for the machinist to confirm the size for him/herself. Measure twice bore/hone once that's what Bob Villa says. Always verify--IF YOU ARE THE DOCTOR YOU DO NOT TAKE THE PATIENT'S DIAGNOSIS AT FACE VALUE--Unless the customer can take responsibility for his/her mistakes.

That "might" make sense now.

I have had people look at the min forging number on the underside of CP Pistons and complain that their pistons were 83mm and not 84mm turbo pistons. Apparently they lacked, among other things, basic understanding of pistons and measuring tools such as a $20 dial caliper.