hi im new here just trying to find out if its possible to hone an aluminum bore tecumseh. or is it better to sleeve it . i have the means to do it either way but my friend who's a automotive rebuilder says you cant hone aluminum bores they will wear out prematurely. but the lawn mower guy down the street says it should work. if i take these engines down this far i want the most longevity i can get, any help would be appreciated thanx scott.
honing tecumseh aluminum block
just go easy, you just want to brake the glaze on the cylinder wall so that the ring will seat. I read that most of the problems come from not cleaning the bore real good after honing. If you leave any grit in there it will act like sand paper on the piston. wash it out with soap and water and plenty of paper towels to get all the grit from the hone out.
....so Jeff there is no issue with re-establishing the silicone layer at the top of the honed surface ....like with the old nickasil (sp?) coated cylinders.
I know Sunnen developed a honing process that replaced the old chemical etching process but it's been a while since I messed with that stuff.
I'm guessing the answer is "it's a friggin lawn mower engine just do it "!!! :facepalm:
I know Sunnen developed a honing process that replaced the old chemical etching process but it's been a while since I messed with that stuff.
I'm guessing the answer is "it's a friggin lawn mower engine just do it "!!! :facepalm:
Nikasil coated cylinders are more delicate than the iron bores typically used with Flex-Hones. Nikasil is an electroplated oleophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating that allows the use of aluminum cylinder walls without a steel sleeve. This coating reduces friction and wear. Great advantages come with the use of Nikasil on coated aluminum blocks or jugs, one of them is the increased heat removal from the piston, pin and ring assemblies. The other advantage is the tighter tolerances can be achieved. Most Nikasil coatings are 0.0003" to 0.0008". To deglaze and freshen up the bore walls you must use an aluminum oxide material based hone. This softer material works well with the hard walls. Use the hone like described above with the exception of much less rotations. Run the hone for 10-12 rotations in the bore and inspect. If the overall cylinder looks touched then you are done and remove the tool.
