Flathead V8 engine cost ?

[frenchy dehoux]

I would like to get an idea how much will it cost me on the average to bore out my cylinders rather than having sleeves put in. The engine bore now measure 3 3/16 and how much can I take it to before the cylinders are to thin. And who has the best pistons to install once we bore the engine and how much. Thank You for any help with this.

Thanks
Frenchy

[Mart]

What motor is it?

Is it one that had a 3-3/16" bore from new?

Or a 3-1/16" type that has been bored to 3-3/16"??

Mart.

[flatjack9]

If the original bore was 3 3/16, they can usually be bored as much as .125 or anything up to that. I've used Egge pistons with good luck.

[19Fordy]

Larger bore means thinner cylinder walls which in turn means more heat.

[flatjack9]

Been running my .125 overbore for about 18 years now with no overheating problems. Overheating many times is caused by a poorly tuned engine.

[flathead4rd]

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Bore it to 3-5/16. That way you can still go to 3-3/8 later if you need to rebuild again. You should get the block sonic tested for cylinder wall thickness if going to bore to 3-3/8. Egge makes oversize pistons and so does Jahns.

[Gumpy]

[B][I]I would think around the state you live it would be reasonable ,,,machine shop prices vary,,,shop around gump

[jdl]

Boring oversize is the best option, sleeving gets real expensive, no need to sleeve unless there is a cracked or deeply scored cyl. if I lived in Az. where it can get hot in the summer I would bore to the next smallest oversize, the bigger the bore the thinner the cyl wall =less cooling. if you want you can go to 3-5/16" be sure to clean the water jackets, then clean them again, this part often gets overlooked. cleaning the water passages is super important. Egge makes good pistons.

[jdl]

Costs for sleeving all cyls $400. inc. sleeves
Cost for bore & hone $140.

These costs are from a well known flathead builder in Ca.

These prices can vary wildly from shop to shop.

[frenchy dehoux]

I use Egge pistons when I build my V12 Flathead and no issues with them. H&H also can do this work but I will see if I can locate another shop here in Phoenix. I usually have the blocks redi strip which cleans all of the rust inside the water jackets area.

Thanks
Frenchy

[Ford Flathead]

I always have blocks acid dipped before I do the machine work because there is still core sand and rust no matter how many times you try to flush it out. .125 is safe to bore. I do it all the time. I also recommend Ross forged pistons because when you add it up they are only about $100 more for a way better piston. I do use a lot of Egge pistons for the smaller bore engines and V12's.
Mike
H&H Flatheads

[frenchy dehoux]

Mike what do you charge for machining the block to the next size bore and with new pistons and rings as well as doing the valve job only to get it ready as far for me to install the valves.

Thanks
Frenchy

[Ford Flathead]

I generally tell people about$ 1150 for the complete machined block with hard seats. Acid dipped. Bored. Honed. Resurfaced three sides. Cam bearings. Lifter bores drilled. Ready to assemble. Pistons depend on what stroke you want. $200 for ford pistons$ 250 for mercury and$ 75 for rings. Let me know if I can help.

[GOSFAST]

Just a tip, make certain whoever does the machine work is able to finish hone the block using a "block-plate"??

Makes for better ring seal and is worth about 10 add'l HP at 3500.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. An added feature we now do on all the Flatheads is install dowel pins to keep the heads stable. Same as the SBC's, we use some 5/16" pressed pins. This setup is especially helpful when using aftermarket aluminum heads where the head bolt holes are exceptionally "large"!!

[Ol' Ron]

Egge now makes 3 ring 3 5/16 +.020, .03o Narrow rings from Volvo truck.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by GOSFAST

Just a tip, make certain whoever does the machine work is able to finish hone the block using a "block-plate"??

Makes for better ring seal and is worth about 10 add'l HP at 3500.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. An added feature we now do on all the Flatheads is install dowel pins to keep the heads stable. Same as the SBC's, we use some 5/16" pressed pins. This setup is especially helpful when using aftermarket aluminum heads where the head bolt holes are exceptionally "large"!!

Gary:

Would you happen to consider renting this plate out? I've made one from an old head but I'm not sure it will do the job as well as the huck of steel you got in the picture.

Tim

[frenchy dehoux]

Mike

Thanks for the heads up on the cost I will be calling you tomorrow Friday.

Frenchy

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Egge now makes 3 ring 3 5/16 +.020, .03o Narrow rings from Volvo truck.

What is the ring width?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ford Flathead

I generally tell people about$ 1150 for the complete machined block with hard seats. Acid dipped. Bored. Honed. Resurfaced three sides. Cam bearings. Lifter bores drilled. Ready to assemble. Pistons depend on what stroke you want. $200 for ford pistons$ 250 for mercury and$ 75 for rings. Let me know if I can help.

Mike:

That is a very fair price compared where I'm at in NJ.

Tim

[Vergil]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

What is the ring width?

Ronnie you need to increase the font size for Ol Ron to read your question, eyesight is giving him a little trouble.

Vergil