Cylinder Sleeves

Tim H · 12-28-2009, 07:40 PM

I'm kind of suprised there are not more replies to your question, maybe it's because of holidays etc. There was a time not that far back when mostly all the "class" 396 Chevy racers were using 454 blocks sleeved down to make the req'd displacement. I guess that 396 racers are not as plentiful anymore.
Personally I have raced with a sleeved block (one hole only) and have been satisfied with the results. (also a BB Chevy).

Pat Cook · 12-28-2009, 11:42 PM

I am looking at LA Sleeves. Would a harder cylinder help with ring seal?

Alan Roehrich · 12-28-2009, 11:55 PM

Not really. It'll wear better. But it'll actually be harder to get a killer finish for great ring seal on it. Nothing but the softest hone stones, a lot of clean hone oil, and an expert operator will get the correct finish on the really hard sleeves.

I looked at compacted graphite sleeves, looking for the ultimate sleeve. Keith Jones at Total Seal told me I'd gain in cylinder wall wear/life, but not in ring seal, ring wear, or performance.

Pat Cook · 12-29-2009, 11:24 AM

Maybe I should talk to my machinist Kip Martin, I am sure he can do the hone deal on cylinder sleeves, and he has a lot of experience with 390 Fords. The last time it was put together we used a low tension ring package from Total Seal. The engine has about 30 passes and has developed a lot of blow by when it is idling, more than it did when it was first put together. I don't think it would have wore the cylinders in only 30 passes?

Or maybe I just need to put the "PVC stock eliminator crank case evac." system on it?

treessavoy · 12-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Back before Mopar began making new wedge blocks a lot of us Max Wedge racers had to find old worn out blocks which usually meant putting in one or more sleeves.

I never had a single problem, just make sure the machine shop knows what they are doing.

JimR

12-28-2009, 07:40 PM	#1
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,044 Likes: 1,086 Liked 484 Times in 160 Posts	Re: Cylinder Sleeves I'm kind of suprised there are not more replies to your question, maybe it's because of holidays etc. There was a time not that far back when mostly all the "class" 396 Chevy racers were using 454 blocks sleeved down to make the req'd displacement. I guess that 396 racers are not as plentiful anymore. Personally I have raced with a sleeved block (one hole only) and have been satisfied with the results. (also a BB Chevy).

12-28-2009, 11:42 PM	#2
Pat Cook Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 175 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cylinder Sleeves I am looking at LA Sleeves. Would a harder cylinder help with ring seal? __________________ 67 Ford Fairlane F/SA 749

12-28-2009, 11:55 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,132 Likes: 1,592 Liked 1,909 Times in 427 Posts	Re: Cylinder Sleeves Not really. It'll wear better. But it'll actually be harder to get a killer finish for great ring seal on it. Nothing but the softest hone stones, a lot of clean hone oil, and an expert operator will get the correct finish on the really hard sleeves. I looked at compacted graphite sleeves, looking for the ultimate sleeve. Keith Jones at Total Seal told me I'd gain in cylinder wall wear/life, but not in ring seal, ring wear, or performance. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

12-29-2009, 11:24 AM	#4
Pat Cook Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 175 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cylinder Sleeves Maybe I should talk to my machinist Kip Martin, I am sure he can do the hone deal on cylinder sleeves, and he has a lot of experience with 390 Fords. The last time it was put together we used a low tension ring package from Total Seal. The engine has about 30 passes and has developed a lot of blow by when it is idling, more than it did when it was first put together. I don't think it would have wore the cylinders in only 30 passes? Or maybe I just need to put the "PVC stock eliminator crank case evac." system on it? __________________ 67 Ford Fairlane F/SA 749

12-29-2009, 02:08 PM	#5
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Cylinder Sleeves Back before Mopar began making new wedge blocks a lot of us Max Wedge racers had to find old worn out blocks which usually meant putting in one or more sleeves. I never had a single problem, just make sure the machine shop knows what they are doing. JimR __________________ Jim Rountree