I recently had a shortblock built up - Actaully just the block replaced and I noticed when I took the #1 and #2 piston down there was a couple scratches. You can defently feel them with your finger nail but it's not reall really bad. The guy said it should disapear after a couple hundred miles or so. Did anybody ever had scratches in the cyl wall?? Do you think it could cause a problem in the future?? I know it's hard to say since you cannot see the block in person. I just wanted to know if anybody ever had scracthes like that in there block - and had no problems

 

You can feel it with a finger nail? I'm no engine builder but that doesn't exactly sound like "precise" engine preparation.

 

Without seeing the scratches its hard to say for sure. It doesn't seem good though. I am on my first rebuild, so I'm not even a novice yet. After my block came back from the machine shop, you can only see water marks. I wouldn't be comftorable building that block back. I'd atleast get a second opinion from another machine shop.

Z

 

If ya have lines that ya can hook with your fingernail it needs to be bored and honed,period.
The rings won't last long in those cylinder's if ya don't and they won't go away in no 1-200 miles either.

 

That is the word!

Rich

 

Two most likely suspects that I can think of if you've got scratches in the bores to that degree.. Either the guy building it got crap down in the holes when he dropped the pistons in, or (more likely) he used a set of file-fit rings and didn't deburr the ring ends after filing. Thats just gonna get worse and worse. Listen to Larry.. He aint kidding..

Dave C.

 

Well the guy wrote a statement stating that he will replace the block and rings if something did happen. He's been state cer. for 25 years. He said nothing will happen. But I know for a fact you are not supposed to have any type or scratches in the cyl walls. The scatch does not look deep. It's hard to say - I dont know if I should build it. I hardly drive the car - It's mostly a weekend car - 50 miles or so a weekend.

 

How much you drive the car has nothing to do with getting what you paid for. You either want the engine done right or you don't. At least show it to another mechanic and get a second opinion.

 

... And just how are you supposed to know when processing a warranty claim becomes necessary? It obviously will not blow up because of it.

 

Don't do it. Even if he says he will waranty it and give guarantees, and you trust him, it isn't a fun job to pull the motor again.

Z

 

I personally wouldn't drop an engine in a car without getting at least 2 shops to look at the block. All it takes is half a second of not paying attention at a shop for osmething to be majorly FUBARd.