Base Gasket Replacement
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
If it were mine, I'd do a 88 ci bore kit, get the heads ported by WFO larry, add v thunder cam, 44cv, 2000i,
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Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 5
From: Wisconsin
yes I understand about the cam, heads, ignition, Mikuni/S&S and the big bore etc. Eventually that may be where I go. Not sure. Wisconsin summers being what they are I just want it up and running in stock form to enjoy the brief weather that is available.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
If you pulled the pistons out of the cylinders don't even think about using the old rings. And yes, use a 240 grit ball flex hone, wet with WD40 for about 6 quick strokes in each direction of rotation of the drill for each cylinder.
Wash the cylinders in warm soapy water (dish soap) rinse completely. Give a quick wipe with paper towel and spray immediately with WD40.
If you don't do what I described, you will be very disappointed with all the work and time you will have spent, trust me!
Wash the cylinders in warm soapy water (dish soap) rinse completely. Give a quick wipe with paper towel and spray immediately with WD40.
If you don't do what I described, you will be very disappointed with all the work and time you will have spent, trust me!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 817
Likes: 380
From: Central Ohio
If you pulled the pistons out of the cylinders don't even think about using the old rings. And yes, use a 240 grit ball flex hone, wet with WD40 for about 6 quick strokes in each direction of rotation of the drill for each cylinder.
Wash the cylinders in warm soapy water (dish soap) rinse completely. Give a quick wipe with paper towel and spray immediately with WD40.
If you don't do what I described, you will be very disappointed with all the work and time you will have spent, trust me!
Wash the cylinders in warm soapy water (dish soap) rinse completely. Give a quick wipe with paper towel and spray immediately with WD40.
If you don't do what I described, you will be very disappointed with all the work and time you will have spent, trust me!
Simply removing rings from a bore and putting them back in won't hurt a thing, aside from user error
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
One of the things that many don't understand is that the rings do indeed rotate on the piston on a 4 stroke. if the cylinder and piston are in good shape. It's once that stop rotating that you can have issues.
Personally if doing rings, I prefer Tq plating and using a fixed hone to make the cylinder round and straight again. Doing that can cause little piston rattle tho.
Personally if doing rings, I prefer Tq plating and using a fixed hone to make the cylinder round and straight again. Doing that can cause little piston rattle tho.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
Six strokes in forward, 6 strokes in reverse rotation = 12.
No, won't hurt a thing to use the old rings... except excessive oil usage, excessive blow-by and wondering why the air cleaner is always soaked with oil and where all that light blue smoke is coming from when stopped at a light at night.
As to whether the cylinders need to be measured, if they have a lot of miles or damage then yes, I agree. But if all was well and not high miles, using the same pistons and new rings with a scuff hone works just fine.
I've done it too many times, (both ways) and know what works and what doesn't. Re-using rings in a glazed cylinders does not work.
If the OP follows the ignorance displayed so far on this thread, I sincerely feel bad for him. In the vernacular of Forrest Gump - that's all I have to say about all this.
No, won't hurt a thing to use the old rings... except excessive oil usage, excessive blow-by and wondering why the air cleaner is always soaked with oil and where all that light blue smoke is coming from when stopped at a light at night.
As to whether the cylinders need to be measured, if they have a lot of miles or damage then yes, I agree. But if all was well and not high miles, using the same pistons and new rings with a scuff hone works just fine.
I've done it too many times, (both ways) and know what works and what doesn't. Re-using rings in a glazed cylinders does not work.
If the OP follows the ignorance displayed so far on this thread, I sincerely feel bad for him. In the vernacular of Forrest Gump - that's all I have to say about all this.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,031
Likes: 12,555
From: South Carolina
If it were mine, with 30K on the engine and only one cylinder removed, I would do just what the OP is doing.
Finally... me and Rufus disagree on something.
Finally... me and Rufus disagree on something.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 817
Likes: 380
From: Central Ohio
Six strokes in forward, 6 strokes in reverse rotation = 12.
No, won't hurt a thing to use the old rings... except excessive oil usage, excessive blow-by and wondering why the air cleaner is always soaked with oil and where all that light blue smoke is coming from when stopped at a light at night.
As to whether the cylinders need to be measured, if they have a lot of miles or damage then yes, I agree. But if all was well and not high miles, using the same pistons and new rings with a scuff hone works just fine.
I've done it too many times, (both ways) and know what works and what doesn't. Re-using rings in a glazed cylinders does not work.
If the OP follows the ignorance displayed so far on this thread, I sincerely feel bad for him. In the vernacular of Forrest Gump - that's all I have to say about all this.
No, won't hurt a thing to use the old rings... except excessive oil usage, excessive blow-by and wondering why the air cleaner is always soaked with oil and where all that light blue smoke is coming from when stopped at a light at night.
As to whether the cylinders need to be measured, if they have a lot of miles or damage then yes, I agree. But if all was well and not high miles, using the same pistons and new rings with a scuff hone works just fine.
I've done it too many times, (both ways) and know what works and what doesn't. Re-using rings in a glazed cylinders does not work.
If the OP follows the ignorance displayed so far on this thread, I sincerely feel bad for him. In the vernacular of Forrest Gump - that's all I have to say about all this.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 14
You can remove cylinder with piston still in it. Just a little more work to get piston clip and pin out then back in while
not exposing rings. New base gasket, new pin clip and a stock head gasket should b good for 40 k miles.
Now the next thing that WILL happen is the other cylinder will start leaking!
So, better to do both and a clean up of of valves, hone and rings while your in it!
not exposing rings. New base gasket, new pin clip and a stock head gasket should b good for 40 k miles.
Now the next thing that WILL happen is the other cylinder will start leaking!
So, better to do both and a clean up of of valves, hone and rings while your in it!