to hone or not to hone? that is the question ...

[Guest]

Hey guys, got a leaky cylinder base gasket that I have to replace. When I pull the cylinder block off of the pistons should I re-hone the cylinders before I reinstall the block or not?

It will be impossible to reinstall the block with the rings in the exact same position that they were when the block was pulled off. So the "seat" of the rings to the cylinders will be altered from what they were run-in on. The motor has about 900-1,000 miles on it since it was last apart and the cylinders honed.

The pistons have the Wiseco 2953XG rings on them. Not sure what their composition is (iron, chrome molly, etc) so I'm not sure what grit hone I would use if I needed to re-hone the cylinders.

Suggestions? Thanks!

[TeamDar]

The rings rotate on the pistons while running anyway. If you only put 1000 miles on it then just put it back together.

[Nessism]

The rings rotate on the pistons while running anyway. If you only put 1000 miles on it then just put it back together.

Agree.

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[Homie]

The rings rotate on the pistons while running anyway.

The rings "rotate" on the piston? Really? When you assemble them the service manual is very specific as to where all the gaps are to be. I always thought the gaps pretty much stayed where they were when assembled.

[Agemax]

The rings "rotate" on the piston? Really? When you assemble them the service manual is very specific as to where all the gaps are to be. I always thought the gaps pretty much stayed where they were when assembled.

yep they do rotate during use. the reason you fit them in a certain position when fitting new is to spread the ring gaps evenly round the bore so they dont all line up together, causing loss of compression.

this is the reason why two stroke pistons have pins in the ring grooves, to prevent the rings from rotating and catching on the ports in the cylinder

[Sci85]

If you were rebuilding an engine and using new rings on the original liner, what grit would you use using oem rings?

[Homie]

With most of respondents to this thread being from "The Lou", we should just get together over a cold one and discuss this issue in depth!

[Sci85]

I'm game. What's that motorcycle themed restaurant with the musuem attached? Been there once. Cool bikes in there but can't remember the name of the place for the life of me...

[Homie]

I think I know the one you are talking about. Isn't it down by SLU somewhere near Olive and Lindell??

[rustybronco]

With most of respondents to this thread being from "The Lou", we should just get together over a cold one and discuss this issue in depth!

I'm glad you said "a cold one". Had you said "beer", you might have had to move your discussion to a different city...

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2013/05/29/10842773/Flex-Hone_Resource_Guide.pdf

[Sci85]

I think I know the one you are talking about. Isn't it down by SLU somewhere near Olive and Lindell??

Yeah, it is. It's a neat place if you've never been. Decent food but they have quite a few cool bikes in their display. I think at one time they actually even sold Triumph and Ducati.

[Sci85]

I found it. Good ole Google Maps. It's called the Triumph Grill and it's on Olive in the heart of SLU. We should get all the STL GS'rs together for a meet and greet there sometime. Unfortunately right now, my GS's engine is in pieces