alusil piston in sleeved block

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MotionMachine
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alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by MotionMachine »

Has anyone ever sleeved an alusil block and re-used the original pistons that were originally designed for alusil bores? I've sleeved V8 and V12 BMW's with either straight gray iron or flanged ductile. All the ones I've done have gotten aftermarket forged pistons. I have a V10 to do and instead of buying high dollar pistons I'm considering sleeving it to the OE pistons. It's not a performance build, street car only.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by jed »

I can't say for sure but think I have read where you can not use the stock Pistons in block that were sleeved.
when I was putting Darton MID selves in Honda H22 and F23 that after sleeveing after market forged Pistons must be used.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by MotionMachine »

I believe the OE piston has some sort of iron coating on the skirt, so maybe iron skirt/iron sleeve is incompatible.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by jed »

I checked Dartons web sight mostly the install instructions but didn't see any do or donuts concerning Pistons.
it might be worth a phone call to Darton to see what they say.
Also thanks for the utube videos.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by BILL-C »

I've sleeved many porsche 944's and re-used the original pistons without issues. Many late model Porsches and BMW's too.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by Mummert »

Add about .001"-.0025" clearance depending on what alloy pistons are made of. Nikasil alum. cylinder can run tight clearance because expansion rates of cylinder and piston are similiar. On a 98mm nikasil cylinder, .001"-.0015" typical clearance with 2618 alloy.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by Tuner »

Chevy 216 and 235 six-cylinder engines had cast-iron pistons in the cast-iron block.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by MotionMachine »

BILL-C wrote: Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:31 pm I've sleeved many porsche 944's and re-used the original pistons without issues. Many late model Porsches and BMW's too.
Bill, did you use gray iron or ductile sleeves in the BMW's you've done?
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by BILL-C »

MotionMachine wrote: Sat Apr 04, 2020 8:52 am
BILL-C wrote: Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:31 pm I've sleeved many porsche 944's and re-used the original pistons without issues. Many late model Porsches and BMW's too.
Bill, did you use gray iron or ductile sleeves in the BMW's you've done?
We do alot of sleeving for a local shop that buys expensive late model vehicles with water damage and resells for profit after repaired. Lots of BMWs, Benz, and Porsches. All have aluminum blocks. Some have thin wall iron sleeves, some ALUSIL bores. We typically use common grey iron sleeves to repair the crusty bores. For racecar stuff we use ductile iron for the extra strength.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by MotionMachine »

Great, thanks Bill, that's the experience I needed to decide how to go ahead with this.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by englertracing »

Wonder if calico or polydin coating on the skirts might be worth wile
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by MotionMachine »

englertracing wrote: Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:19 am Wonder if calico or polydin coating on the skirts might be worth wile
Good idea, I might consider that as a precaution.
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Re: alusil piston in sleeved block

Post by Kenova »

I don't know how this may relate to your situation, but my Vega 2.3 has a full set of sleeves that were sized to the original pistons. What material the sleeves are made of, I don't know.
It doesn't burn oil and there is no excessive blow-by.
It works well. I'm pretty sure it can do a one minute quarter. :mrgreen:

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