Benifits of honing
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Launching!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: TX
Benifits of honing Im am getting ready to order an LS1/LS6 block form valvegod and i need to know if i should have it honed .005 for a bigger piston or should i go with standard size diamond piston(if they have them. is there any benifit for a .005 hone job and how mush would a set of diamond pistons be for .005 and for standard size bores. thanks
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,975
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From: SW Florida
Re: Benifits of honing Well, a .005" larger piston is not going to change much.
Honing a cyl is normally done to correct these:
1. Establishes the correct 45 degree crosshatch pattern in the cyl bore for proper ring pack to bore seal after a bore bar has been used on the block.
2. De-glazes the bore (performed on older engines that don't require a rebore.
3. Assures exacting cyl bore shape
4. Honing can be adjusted to correct for exacting cyl bore to piston tolerances when fitting new pistons in a block that has just been bored.
I would think that a new GM block would not need any honing when stock dimension pistons are used. They are manufactured with the correct crosshatch and stock piston to bore tolerance.
With your aftermarket pistons... Well, honing [may] be needed if the piston to bore clearance needs to be slightly changed.
Ron,
Honing a cyl is normally done to correct these:
1. Establishes the correct 45 degree crosshatch pattern in the cyl bore for proper ring pack to bore seal after a bore bar has been used on the block.
2. De-glazes the bore (performed on older engines that don't require a rebore.
3. Assures exacting cyl bore shape
4. Honing can be adjusted to correct for exacting cyl bore to piston tolerances when fitting new pistons in a block that has just been bored.
I would think that a new GM block would not need any honing when stock dimension pistons are used. They are manufactured with the correct crosshatch and stock piston to bore tolerance.
With your aftermarket pistons... Well, honing [may] be needed if the piston to bore clearance needs to be slightly changed.
Ron,
Re: Benifits of honing That depends on a number of things:
1) How many miles are on the engine? If it has very many miles, it might be good to hone it a tad to make sure the rings seal right.
2) How good is the "before 0.005" hone? (kind of relates to #1)
3) Does it cost more to get "factory" sized pistons or does it cost more to hone and get +0.005" pistons? (might get a deal on the oversize ones)....
4) Do you care if its no longer a 346 CI engine? I know....sounds stupid but there are people who would care (perhaps the class your racing in requires factory displacement).
Chris
<small>[ March 02, 2003, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: 2001CamaroGuy ]</small>
1) How many miles are on the engine? If it has very many miles, it might be good to hone it a tad to make sure the rings seal right.
2) How good is the "before 0.005" hone? (kind of relates to #1)
3) Does it cost more to get "factory" sized pistons or does it cost more to hone and get +0.005" pistons? (might get a deal on the oversize ones)....
4) Do you care if its no longer a 346 CI engine? I know....sounds stupid but there are people who would care (perhaps the class your racing in requires factory displacement).
Chris
<small>[ March 02, 2003, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: 2001CamaroGuy ]</small>
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Clinton Twp. Mi
Re: Benifits of honing A lot of valvegod blocks are surplus blocks. They do not always have a very good hone on them. .005" is a pretty good amount to clean up a cylinder bore and get it back into shape. Especially on a block that has never run. I would hone it just to insure that you start off with a good finish on the walls. Our shelf pistons are $570 for 3.905" bore and we will do a standard bore for $30 more a set.
Thanks,
Chris Gelineau
Diamond Pistons
877-552-2112 toll free
Thanks,
Chris Gelineau
Diamond Pistons
877-552-2112 toll free
Re: Benifits of honing I just went thru this same issue.
I did buy a new LS6 crate block, but elected to get 3.905's since they are more off the shelf, and it's a popular size.
I did buy a new LS6 crate block, but elected to get 3.905's since they are more off the shelf, and it's a popular size.
