Block Saga - whats my next move??...

[europeanme]

well after finally sorting somewhere to hone my block, i collected it today only to be told there is a 0.005" step at the top of the bores.....talk about gutted.... understatement of the year....

any suggestions as to where i go next.....

I am trying to avoid using aftermarket pistons (this is down to the whole cost implications involved..) i have got the rings and various other parts required for this build already....

suggestions gratefully received....

[aelred]

You could have it lined. A bit expensive though

[AndyP]

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47027

Custom pistons or weigh it in and get another.

[Jamo]

7A block needs work though doesn't it to take the ABY belt configuration

[s2_bo]

Thats a PITA.
I'm surprised they didn't call you after they did the first one as its quite noticeably obvious!
What the tolerance for this sort of thing?
I'm presuming .005inch would give blow by already?

[AndyP]

I thought the block he had was 7A and he was going to use a 3B oil and water pump?

[Jamo]

No idea Andy just assumed as his car is an Avant which is ABY he was boring his ABY block?

[Flat on my back]

7A block needs work though doesn't it to take the ABY belt configuration

BTDT...the 7A cannot use the ABY belt config.

[Tonks4x4]

He was going to use 7a but the price of custom pistons put him off.
He then bought this ABY block to rebuild instead with standard pistons
I got a price a month or so ago for oversize pistons for a 20v and it was £1000+ so just as cheap to buy JE ones

[newsh]

Stepped rings?

[Acidburn]

Aan block delivered next week - 100 quid.

[A80Avant]

yes, the OEM pistons (or mahle) option cost me 1100euros from germany in 2009 when i had the engine rebuilt. So i went to 81.25mm size

[Jonnybravo]

No idea Andy just assumed as his car is an Avant which is ABY he was boring his ABY block?

The block came from one of the Avants I broke for spares, I suspected the head gasket was leaking so lifted the head to find it was no more than a massive cam cover oil leak. The head was mint and the engine itself was a lovely runner so I was really cheesed off to have a perfect engine in bits but you can't win them all.

Its a hard one to call, by rights any block your aiming to build into a bigger power unit should be bored, that said I've built engines ( not from choice ) with similar bore wear and they are still going strong now.

It is probably best to get another block but then the next one might have similar wear or oval bores so you would be paying to have it all checked then possibly end up having another scrap block which is why its sometimes cheaper in the long run to bore it and fit new pistons as you can guarantee its spot on.

Why are pistons so much money for these ? A set of JE's are under £500 for a Vauxhall, I wouldn't of expected to of paid anymore than £750 for some for the Audi which is reasonable being that you can spec the piston to your choice.

As I said on the phone Mike if it ends up being no good for you I'll sort you out somehow.

[Jamo]

JE and Wiseco pistons will cost 400-600 quid, people who want the OEM replacement type have to pay double that

[europeanme]

JE and Wiseco pistons will cost 400-600 quid, people who want the OEM replacement type have to pay double that

cheapest i found them was about £750 and then there is the cost of boring the block and new head gasket....i worked it out to be near on £900!!....