Main bearing line boring / honing? Who does it properly?

Chris Wilson · 8 Feb 2009, 10:11 (Ref:2390937)

I need 2 Toyota 4A-GE cast iron 1.6 litre four cylinder Formula Atlantic blocks line boring and honing after fitment of steel main bearing caps. Who can be trusted to do this properly in the UK? I have seen some come back where the things are worse than when they went in for boring

Thanks

GORDON STREETER · 8 Feb 2009, 14:40 (Ref:2391089)

I've personally found Gosnays as good as anyone.
http://www.gosnays.co.uk/

tristancliffe · 8 Feb 2009, 18:06 (Ref:2391177)

Gosnays have done white metalling and line boring for us in the past. Not always the quickest turnaround (apparently their man was ill though, so perhaps that's unfair), but the job was first class.

zefarelly · 9 Feb 2009, 08:48 (Ref:2391506)

Gosnays are the only ones I'm aware of, they do a good job, but charge like wounded rhino and add extras at will and can be less than amenable on occaision.

If anyones aware of a viable alternative in Southern England I'd like to know.

Al Weyman · 9 Feb 2009, 09:08 (Ref:2391516)

Middlesex Rebore of Mill Hill London NW7?

**Tim Falce** · 9 Feb 2009, 09:12 (Ref:2391519)

I go with what zef says about Gosnays. If you know what you are talking about and tell them exactly what you want then you should be OK with them. If like me you aren't so knowledgeable then you tend to be at their mercy and sometimes they will do a complete job including bits that may need doing but you didn't know about and sometimes they do exactly as you ask and leave out important aspects of the job that may need doing, I think it depends on their mood on the day.
As for price and service I think they are comparable with the industry.

zefarelly · 11 Feb 2009, 07:29 (Ref:2394320)

I think their charges are reasonable, but when I call and ask for a price to line bore and they say £140 thats what I expect . . .not a bill for £250 as they decided the block needed retapping and cleaning @ extra cost ( even though I'd done it ) etc . . .I'd quoted customers, knew what I wanted, took 4 blocks up and got a hit @ £300+ more than I'd bargained for.

I'd use them again as and when I have to but quite frankly thats not the way I like to do business.

Al Weyman · 11 Feb 2009, 08:12 (Ref:2394329)

You did'nt ask for that to be done then simply don't pay it, I would'nt.

zefarelly · 11 Feb 2009, 08:33 (Ref:2394335)

lesson learnt Al

another one they did was sonic test a block, tell me it was fine but not give any paperwork to even prove they did it. then said if I wanted paperwork I'd have to pay for another test . . . . another reason why I won't recommend them

R59 · 19 Feb 2009, 19:30 (Ref:2400391)

My vote goes for Anglian Engine Services in St Neots, Cambs.

Very good indeed.

Robyn Slater · 9 Mar 2009, 09:20 (Ref:2411959)

Did you get this sorted?

How much did it cost ?

Chris Wilson · 9 Mar 2009, 11:12 (Ref:2412038)

The 2 blocks are at Performance Unlimited. I ordered 2 sets of main caps from a Formula Atlantic specialist in the US, and when they arrived they were off engines that had already been line bored. Even between the 2 sets we couldn't get a set of 5 that would be usable, so PU have done the digital renderings and are making new caps. I also checked the crank and found it was slightly bent (.00125 thou) and have decided to grind the mains rather than risk straightening it. So like most jobs the costs have gone up several fold

PU have been very helpful, and I am confident a very good job will done. I have ordered custom pistons and Carillo rods through them, too.

Al Weyman · 9 Mar 2009, 13:44 (Ref:2412178)

Is that Dave at Performance Unlimited, I used to use them for yank bits and he was very good.

Chris Wilson · 9 Mar 2009, 14:06 (Ref:2412199)

Yes, Dave's the chap. Powell I believe is his surname. Very helpful, and hopefully the answer to my needs here

greenamex2 · 9 Mar 2009, 16:30 (Ref:2412298)

Out of interest, why are you bothering with steel main caps?

**Tim Falce** · 9 Mar 2009, 17:33 (Ref:2412333)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wilson

I also checked the crank and found it was slightly bent (.00125 thou) and have decided to grind the mains rather than risk straightening it.

Do you mean .00125 inch and if so is that bent enough to worry about?

Chris Wilson · 9 Mar 2009, 19:22 (Ref:2412412)

The stock cast iron ones are known to crack, and on stripping this engine one was indeed broken.

greenamex2 · 9 Mar 2009, 21:57 (Ref:2412558)

Really? I have done 5 years at 8700RPM and 15 years at 9,500-10,000 RPM on these engines and never had an issue.

Even when I have thrown rods through the side, had cam idlers shear off, had cam wheels fall off, had FOUR snapped billet steel cranks, had flywheels explode, had crankshaft dampers seperate I have NEVER had a stock main cap break.

R59 · 15 Mar 2009, 19:37 (Ref:2416141)

All the more reason to fit a Chevy V8 then Denis!!

And I thought I had all of the "luck" with my Nova engines over the years.

greenamex2 · 15 Mar 2009, 22:25 (Ref:2416265)

Judging by Al's list of problems, not so sure about Chevy's!

Plus I'd only build a 377 and rev the nuts of it!

Haven't dabbled in turbo's yet, must have a try some time.

RacerRich · 13 Aug 2013, 09:39 (Ref:3289186)

Stock 4a-ge mains usually break because some eejit has decided to completely solid mount the motor- and bounce it off the kerbing "because that's how Chris Hodegetts drives one" in my experience.

Saying that- I recently had to sort a problem for a customer who had exactly this problem on a ten year old rally motor. I have no idea of the abuse it had been subjected to.
The black top 20v block has stronger caps- or get a set made in billet if you must- not exactly a difficult job.
With regard to line boring- Gosnays do a respectable job

Chris Wilson · 13 Aug 2013, 10:57 (Ref:3289210)

As this seems to have had a sudden thread revival I will take the opportunity to say Serdi UK have done a couple of six cylinder Toyota 2JZ-GTE blocks for me, both were fine after having none stock steel main caps fitted and line bored / honed.

http://www.serdi.co.uk/serdi2/portal...ing&SubSect=10

Also Engine Developments (Judd) did the 4-AGE Toyota Atlantic block, again, as expected from them, perfect, but I think they only did it as they were rebuilding my Mugen Honda F3000 V8 at the same time. I got the feeling they wouldn't have been so keen otherwise....

http://www.engdev.com

greenamex2 · 13 Aug 2013, 11:07 (Ref:3289215)

I am using serdi for my cossie YB valve seat inserts. Seem to know what they are doing but waiting to get head back before recommending!

yelwoci · 13 Aug 2013, 18:17 (Ref:3289378)

For my pennies worth:
I have used Perfect Bore along with Aptec for coatings.
As for the bearing caps, I used to prepare a AE86 and even had a Chris Hodgetts engine in it. 9000rpm was frequently exceeded though 8700 was norm. Never had problems. Motor was NOT solidly mounted.

Cryogenics is often a cheaper and better option than using expensive bespoke parts.

yelwoci · 13 Aug 2013, 18:21 (Ref:3289380)

Line boring:
One thing you have to watch; especailly with an F1 house like Perfect Bore is their tolerances are small, FKNG small.
I line Bored a Dolly Sprint engine and they weren't impressed with the original manufactures +/1 3 thou inch!!!
Also remember if you doing this properly the crank needs to be matched too.

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