Should I use a Flex-hone with the balls, or is a standard 3 legged hone ok?
Also what grit should I use for chrome molly rings?

Thanks again.

Dave

I'd use the ball hone.

Here is a quote from Hastings' web site (http://www.hastingsinc.com/Service%20Tips/cylinder_bore_refinishing.htm): "Substantial controversy exists on the correct cylinder roughness for proper seating of piston rings, whether chrome, moly, or plain cast iron. It has been our experience that the use of 220-280 grit stones and achieving proper cross hatch angle produces a finish compatible to all three types of the above rings."

------------------
Pat Kelley
66 El Camino, daily driver
67 El Camino, STRIP/street (12.08, 113mph, 7.500@92.14 1/8 mile) 355 powered
Pat's Page (Dynamic Compression Ratio Calculator, car specs, Spark plug reading info) (http://cochise.uia.net/pkelley2/)

[This message has been edited by Pat Kelley (edited 12-30-2002).]

I personally think that the 3 legged hones they sell in Sears etc should be banned. I have seen too many ruined blocks from them. Use the dingle hone !

------------------
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

Ban that along with the ever popular "ridge reamer".

------------------
www.muncie4speed.com (http://www.muncie4speed.com)
Gold 67
A.C.E.S. 5602
M.C.C. 559
1967 Malibu, 2nd owner.
1971 Malibu, new rat is in. It's the details that take the time!
There is nothing like rowing through the gears at 7500. Stick cars are so much fun they should be a controlled substance!

Save the 3 stone for rebuilding your lawnmower. See if you can rent a "Dingleball" hone at the local rental center - they're kinda spendy for a one-time usage.

Just check the balls for excessive flat spotting, and dunk it in solvent to clean off everyone elses crud first.

------------------
'64 El Camino
383 - TH-350 - 12bolt - 4wh pwr discs
Bedded down for the Winter. (Way too early.. It's still nice (?) here!)

Here is a radical idea, take to a machine shop and have them hone it. If you don't own a good dingle ball hone you will be surprised at the cost, might be just as cheap to have the shop do it. They have all these magic tools, dial bore gauges, stuff like that.

------------------
www.muncie4speed.com (http://www.muncie4speed.com)
Gold 67
A.C.E.S. 5602
M.C.C. 559
1967 Malibu, 2nd owner.
1971 Malibu, new rat is in. It's the details that take the time!
There is nothing like rowing through the gears at 7500. Stick cars are so much fun they should be a controlled substance!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wally:
Ban that along with the ever popular "ridge reamer".

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif

Care to explain? I have used them a hundred times and never damaged anything with them.

Where do you get one of these dingle ball hones, and roughly what do they cost?

If this is a one time deal, Wally's advice is probably the most practical. If you plan on possibly doing this more in the future, you can buy the Flex-Hone line at J&L Industrial Tools. They're at www.jlindustrial.com (http://www.jlindustrial.com) . The finer the grit, the more the hone will cost you. I bought a 3" 320 grit for $44. Brush Research manufactures the patented Flex-Hone line.

I am hauling the parts into the engine builder next saturday. Might as well take the block and let him hone it.
Good advice.
I see the dingle hones/Flex-hones are around 80 bucks for a bore my size. Probably would be cheaper to let the builder do it.

Thanks for the input guys.

Dave

I checked out the J&L website...now I have another question. Since they don't offer anything in between a 3 3/4" and 4 1/8" flex hone, I would have to use the 4 1/8" hone for a 4" bore sbc? Would this work on a 305 also (3.736" bore)? Would I want the 240 grit hone fpr use with speed pro moly rings? I can't seem to find any grit requirements for the speed pro rings. Thanks!

According to Brush Research, you're supposed to order the hone which is the size of your bore. So 4" bore = order 4" hone. The hones are made about 1/8" to a 1/4" bigger than their rated size to get "preload" if you will, in the bore. If your size isn't listed you can call J&Ls 1-800 number and see if it is available for special order, it should be. Not everything is listed in the catalog. Get ahold of the ring manufacturer or BillK for example for the proper grit to use. J&Ls # is 1-800-521-9520.

Plus, Dave, I presume you are much more proficient that I was as an 17 yr old apprentice , but I "barreled" my first 350 block ( 2 of the 8) enough so we had to bore it again. Yup 30 over slugs went back and 40s went in. DOH.

Hand job stuff though, we didnt have a boring/honing machine. Deck plates, what were those!? Good advice from Wally.