Honing ALUSIL Blocks

[SLOWESTN54]

Anyone here have any experience honing a Alusil Block. From my research it is possible, with using a AN-30 compound and felt pads. Just need to get the slighest scratches out of a cylinder and prep the block for new rings?

 

[wheela]

You mean honing the LDS coating on the walls coated onto the Alusil of a b58 block?

Did you break a piston? Or just proactively building your motor

 

[ShocknAwe]

You mean honing the LDS coating on the walls coated onto the Alusil of a b58 block?

Did you break a piston? Or just proactively building your motor

Brulee plug aka B58Destroyer

 

[wheela]

Brulee plug aka B58Destroyer

Haha, you went there

 

[JohnDaviz]

Here is what pro engine builder ChatGPT has to say:

If you’re just dealing with very light scratches in an Alusil bore and want to freshen it up in a DIY garage setup, you can skip the heavy industrial gear and go with a light reconditioning process focused on cleaning and re-exposing the silicon. Here's what you'd need:

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Light DIY Alusil Reconditioning Kit (Garage-Friendly)​

Tools​

• Flex-Hone for Alusil (ball hone, fine grit ~240–320)
  • Brand: BRM (Brush Research Manufacturing)
  • Get one that matches your cylinder bore diameter
• Variable-Speed Drill
  • Must be able to run at low RPM (~300–500)
• Torque Plate (optional but good)
  • If you want to be precise

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Chemicals & Supplies​

• Alusil-compatible honing oil
  • Light mineral oil or ATF works in a pinch
• Alusil Etching Paste or Lapping Compound (optional)
  • To help bring out silicon particles
  • e.g., fine aluminum oxide paste or Glyptal style paste
• Brake Cleaner / Acetone
  • For degreasing
• Hot Soapy Water
  • Final wash to remove grit and particles
• Lint-free cloths and paper towels

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Inspection Gear​

• Visual Inspection Light or Bore Scope
• Dial Bore Gauge (only if you're checking geometry)

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Process (Short Version)​

1. Clean the bore with degreaser and inspect scratches.
2. Light Flex-Hone pass (10–20 strokes per cylinder, low RPM, plenty of oil).
3. Optional: Apply etching paste to expose silicon crystals.
4. Brush finish if needed (hand brushing with Scotch-Brite or bore brush).
5. Final Clean with hot soapy water → brake cleaner → dry with lint-free towel.
6. Inspect surface – should have visible silicon and a light crosshatch.

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What Not to Do​

• Don’t use conventional stones or aggressive abrasives.
• Don’t remove too much material — it’s easy to go too far.
• Don’t leave grit or residue behind — it’ll ruin your rebuild.

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Want a shopping list with product links or part numbers?

 

[SLOWESTN54]

MANNN boys boys B58 is still running strong. This is for the X6m my dad bought. I assume it has a cracked piston ring. BADDD leakdown, slight scoring on the cylinder walls. Just Wanted to make sure the scoring out, before pulling the engine out.

 

[ShocknAwe]

MANNN boys boys B58 is still running strong. This is for the X6m my dad bought. I assume it has a cracked piston ring. BADDD leakdown, slight scoring on the cylinder walls. Just Wanted to make sure the scoring out, before pulling the engine out.

S63 or N63

 

[wheela]

Should be S if it's an M, right? Did any M's get the N63?

 

[wheela]

MANNN boys boys B58 is still running strong. This is for the X6m my dad bought. I assume it has a cracked piston ring. BADDD leakdown, slight scoring on the cylinder walls. Just Wanted to make sure the scoring out, before pulling the engine out.

Glad you're b58 is running strong

 

[ShocknAwe]

Should be S if it's an M, right? Did any M's get the N63?

I don't know that's why I asked

 

[SLOWESTN54]

I don't know that's why I asked

a moment of weakness. S63

 

[ShocknAwe]

a moment of weakness. S63

Whew if it was the N it would probably be part out time