Piston Rings & Honing

[rohan696]

What is your opinion on honing cylinder walls? I am installing new piston rings on my M696 pistons and the cylinder walls do already have original cross-hatching- should I still hone the cylinder walls before installing the pistons with new piston rings?

[rohan696]

What is your opinion on honing cylinder walls? I am installing new piston rings on my M696 pistons and the cylinder walls do already have original cross-hatching- should I still hone the cylinder walls before installing the pistons with new piston rings?

[RB]

Yes, it needs fresh hatching for the new rings to seat properly.

[ducpainter]

Cylinders should be honed when re-ringing to remove any glaze that is present. A ball hone is the proper tool.

[stopintime]

I've done both with and without honing. Still no idea with which results. Difference? Don't know. Same/similar durability.

[ducpainter]

I thought I posted, but it's not here.

I suggest honing with a ball hone to remove any glaze.

[rohan696]

Thank you, everyone. I'll use a ball hone as suggested.

[Howie]

Emphasis on "any glaze".  And make sure you clean the cylinders very well.  You do not want to hurt the nikasil coating.  White cloth until you see no gray. 

For the last three or four decades there has been two camps, hone band don't hone.  Big reason for the two camps is engine failure from grit.

[koko64]

The Nikasil coating is just that, a coating. Don't go honing it enthusiastically like old school steel cylinder sleeves or cast iron barrels. Be careful to get hold of the appropriate tool for the job, so see your local hot rod shop for advice. Sometimes a pan scrubbing pad (not steel) and parts cleaner can be enough. The appropriate honing tool will be on the gentle end of the spectrum and there must be new tools out nowadays. The honing tool I used on my old T140 and Shovelhead will be pretty brutal on Nikasil.

[rohan696]

Thanks, guys, and now I'm having second thoughts haha... what do you recommend using to clean the bores?

[ducpainter]

Koko is right about it being a coating, but...I know that used cylinders, when being recoated, the thickness can be adjusted to properly clearance the pistons.

That said, if you're scared, use a red scotchbrite pad with some kerosene, or diesel fuel, and lightly scour the bores. That will not remove the coating..

[rohan696]

Got it. What do you think about this- https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-180-grit-abrasive-ball-61184.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19231709222&campaignid=19231709222&utm_content=141253582541&adsetid=141253582541&product=61184&store=577&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwncWvBhD_ARIsAEb2HW9tt4eSfeFAlqxkA8B70X7OoNrHStEdnS4GTd9UBWcu6zKiVgyPyL0aAnsxEALw_wcB

[ducpainter]

I was thinking by hand but as long as you use your head, and don't overdo it, you should be OK.

Maybe two, or three, strokes in each cylinder? All you want to do is remove any glaze.

BTW...I merged your topics. It will be easier for people to follow along with what happened.

[rohan696]

OK, thanks, that's easier and gives me more control over what I'm doing. Before I go at it though, I think I'll take both cylinders to Ducati and see what they think as well. What do you recommend to remove carbon from the piston and top of the cylinder- ATF/gasoline/degreaser?

[Howie]

Hard work with carburetor cleaner or https://orisonmarketing.com/products/piston-kleen%E2%84%A2