Greetings HT. I found a used longblock (h22a1; closed deck) that ostensibly has Darton sleeves; however, the balance shafts are still in place (seems like an unusual move to reinstall them after sleeving?). Anyone ever heard of such a practice? TIA

UPDATE:
Okay guys. I decided to take a chance on the sleeved block. Can anyone positively identify them? TIA

 

Just because the engine is sleeved does not mean you cant use the balance shafts. That being said you would be correct, most people who build perf. engines plug the oil feed holes and get rid of them. It is not too late, you can still do so.

 

I appreciate the response; apologies if my original post seemed ambiguous. I wouldn't keep the balance shafts. I'm more concerned with whether or not the block actually has Darton sleeves (as opposed to just FRM pistons in a stock block). My offer to him will be significantly lower if the latter is true. Any other H/F builders out there who kept/reinstalled their balance shafts after sleeving?

 

We need pictures to tell you if it's sleeved.... if the top of the liner is two different colors then its probably stock

Again, just because it has balance shafts doesn't mean it isn't sleeved, some builders think its better to leave them i I.e personal preference.

 

I typically remove balance shafts on these engines like the DSM 4G63.

 

I appreciate the help. Not sure I'd be able to produce such a picture unless I buy the engine (it's currently an assembled longblock).
That's the plan

 

Well take it on faith

Or remove the front coolant fitting on the block, you should be able to tell machine work has been done

 

What should I look for specifically? I will ask the seller to remove the fitting and snap a pic. Thanks for the ideas!

 

What exactly are balance shafts?

 

Must be a B series thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_shaft

 

You can still remove the balance shafts, I recommend to remove them and pick up a KStuned balance shaft eliminator kit.

 

H/F engines have them. B/D don't

 

That's the plan. Thanks Bob

 

Thanks. Figured that out eventually after reading that wiki page.

 

The following are a few pics that the seller sent (side note: for my own edification I asked the seller what size allen is needed to remove the coolant plugs; he relayed that a 14mm is needed). Verdict? Darton or stock?

 

Thoughts?

 

i need a pic in the hole, not of the hole. and whats the crap on the sleeve?

I've never seen sleeves that color or with material on them, looks like frm to me

 

ductile iron sleeves are machined, they would be smooth, not have that cast like surface

 

I'm not sure what that is.
I emailed Darton; they responded saying that they can't tell from the aforementioned pics. The Darton rep said that I would need to have the seller pull the head in order for them to give a definitive answer.

 

no aftermarket ductile sleeve has a a surface like that

thats definitely a cast liner

 

Stick a magnet pen through the hole and see if it sticks to it.

 

So that is definitely the outside of the sleeve (and not part of the block)? Excuse my ignorance. I appreciate the help.

 

Ha! That's clever! The cast/stock sleeves don't contain iron?

 

The block is cast with an aluminum outer sleeve, the frm is on the inside

Every single ductile iron sleeve has a machined outer diameter, perfectly smooth... just Google a picture

 

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