1BIGJIM

I just can't catch a BREAK

I just got a call from the machine shop and I was told I have some bad lifter bores in one of my blocks. WTF the engine was just rebuilt 70 hours ago (not buy me) ran fine for the last 20+ years. "The bit could have been dull when the block was made." I need to see this with my own eyes.
I have dealt with the same person for over 20 years, just wondering if he is trying to squeeze more money out of me to pay for this months gas bill in this frozen tundra (Ne)

I wish I would have put two new sets of heads on the boat and sent it a sail

TWIN-SPINS

i read a article,,,about lifter bores not having the proper clearance,,,between lifter and block,,causing some lifters not to hold the proper oil pressure in the lifter,,might have read it on oss,,,,how does your engine builder want to fix the problem,,,i think he,s looking out for you,,how many other engine buiders check lifter bores???

Ebay Ed

what they usually do on race car engines is bore the holes out bigger and put bronze liners in them the machine work from the factory is so bad sometimes the lifter bores will actually be out of line from where they are suppose to be

1BIGJIM

The bronze liners cost $600. Yes they do that.

Just happens to have another block sitting around to sell
me

This engine had no problems with oil pressure only a bad cylinder head from a bad machine shop (exhaust seats not hardened)

Rookie

They probably have been out of spec since new, they probably have worked forever and you would probably never have a problem. BUT, they are out of tolerance and your builder is doing his due diligence to protect you and his work. I say good catch on his behalf.

There is a thread on here or speedwake about an engine that kept eating lifters and destroying an engine. I think this was the problem, (not positive) the builder did not check the bore to the lifters, but I think the lifters were not in spec either.

1BIGJIM

I did a search on LIFTERS in titles only and came up with nothing

Rookie

I DO NOT want to bring the thread back up. At the end of the thread there was a lot of heated words.

But if you search on speedwake Tech Forum and search Dropped a Valve after 27 Hours . I DO NOT know if that is what the final outcome was. The lifters were sticking and leaving the valve open and hitting the pistons.

ezstriper

I have heard of the issue, usually came that way from day one, most race engine builders do the bronze liner bores to fix the factory issues...but in a boat with limited rpm and it's been running before I would not spend the $$ my race engines do have it done..but thats a whole different story...Rob

GPM

All you need is a little gas in the oil to destroy the lifter bores.
They can be bored to the next size without liners.

1BIGJIM

Please explain this