Anyone use a 'Grape Hone" Before? Options

[Kerrys914]

I have my heads off and I am looking at some easy to remove P&C's. I am thinking of getting new rings ($80) and using a "grape hone" in the cylinders.

Does that sould like a good plan ? or am I just wacko (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)

[jwalters]

QUOTE (Cap'n Krusty @ Jan 5 2005, 06:45 PM)

I wouldn't, nor would any of the engine builders I know. No control over the cut, which can result in wavy cylinders, leading to disaster. The Cap'n

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/huh.gif) Wavy cylinders????

The grape hone is a very good hone to use--much better than the other type ( the one with the bars)

The piont you need to make is getting the proper sized one for your cylinders--they come in a myriad of sizes.

The best one on the market (pricey) is the " Soft hone", this is high quality and proven with the water cooled bunch--but to do just one engine it is really cost prohibitive.

Hones do just what they inply--they remove metal, albeit a small quantity--as long as you watch yourself in the process. .

ATF is all I ever use-the consistency of it is excellent for excellent results.

Use a drill with a max of 1200 rpm--move the hone from the cyl bottom to top in a quick manner. This gives a cross-hatch that is good for ring bed-in. This is also the only reason to hone anyway.

It is difficult to count strokes--so use time instead---two passes on good cylinders is all it takes, with aboout 2-4 SECONDS per pass.With a VERY good cleaning inbetween passes--I too use dawn dish detergent--very good stuff!

What makes these better for all-around honing is there is no pre-load adjustment as with the other hone. That is what will really screw things up for a newbie--the proper spring pre-load. Getting the proper size grape ( or ..bead hone) takes all the guess work out of it for someone who does not do it on a routine basis.

But beware--a good hone job will be moot if you do not break in the rings properly!!!! That procedure is recommended by the ring manufacturer, and should be with any paperwork that came with the rings. If not- contact the manufacturer--they made them , they will know!

Good luck! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)