Short block wash
Turbo Mini Forums

As some of you may know, the engine in BIR1 had a small problem a while back as a cam follower died in the block. I now need to hone the block where the follower is. To do this, I need to dissemble the entire thing. The problem is. New piston rings are impossible to find, and I don't want to buy new pistons. If I fit the pistons in their "old" hole after the teardown, should I have the bores honed? I know I really should get new pistons etc. but they're in very good nick. The alternative is to go 040 which I really cannot afford right now, and I don't think it's necessary either. It hasn't ran many miles since the rings were fitted.

So, should I just build it back together with old rings and untouched cylinder walls?

Edited by Vegard on 24th Feb, 2007.

Why do you need to dismantle the engine to hone a cam follower bore?
With a bit of care you could do it with crank, rods & pistons in place.
Regards
Dave

PS Not trying to be a smart arse Vegard
just helpful.

I'd pull it apart, and put the pistons back where they came from.... Nothing more.

I'm with Dave.

That's what I wanted to hear :) Thanks guys. I'll have the block mildly skimmed once at it and may even be so bold to fit oil jets.

a little off topic this but, is it wise to lap the cam followers into the block if they are new? I beleive this helps them to rotate.

133.5 bhp 123 lb torque 116mph @6640rpm 9.5psi
Shakespear RWYB 14.995 91.83mph

I've never heard this, but me for starters, will always hone the bores from now on.
Lap the followers sounds daft. That'll remove the coating on them.

Vegard,

I know you sometimes frequent the MM board so you may know this,

A while back some one pulled their engine, i think to replace the cam (probably going from a 286 to a RE13) anyway they found the block had oversize followers in it, quite a bit oversize IIRC like from a different engine.

I can't remeber who it was but the car was a really clean green/white mk1 that was featured acouple of years back and then went to the states,

If the follower hole doesn't clean up might be worth a search to se what he did for followers in the end and maybe go that route?