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?
Honing ALUSIL Blocks
- Thread starter SLOWESTN54
- Start date
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
Did you break a piston? Or just proactively building your motor
Brulee plug aka B58DestroyerYou 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
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:
Want a shopping list with product links or part numbers?
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:
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
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
Inspection Gear
- Visual Inspection Light or Bore Scope
- Dial Bore Gauge (only if you're checking geometry)
Process (Short Version)
- Clean the bore with degreaser and inspect scratches.
- Light Flex-Hone pass (10–20 strokes per cylinder, low RPM, plenty of oil).
- Optional: Apply etching paste to expose silicon crystals.
- Brush finish if needed (hand brushing with Scotch-Brite or bore brush).
- Final Clean with hot soapy water → brake cleaner → dry with lint-free towel.
- Inspect surface – should have visible silicon and a light crosshatch.
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.
Want a shopping list with product links or part numbers?
a moment of weakness. S63
Whew if it was the N it would probably be part out time
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