[Vwdiesel] Honing advice needed!

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

>and interestingly, the ridge is much deeper on one side of the cylinder - 
almost 
>nothing on the other. I guess this is the piston rocking slightly? I might 
try a bit >more 
>honing, then measure the bores again to confirm my earlier measurements. 
They 
>were just at the limit in a couple places, but mostly under.

  Bores nearly always wear to one side of the crank.  It's the thrust side. 
The crank is rotating in the direction such that the downward force also 
has a side force on the block causing wear.  If the engine ran the other 
direction then you'd have the ridge on the opposite side.  It's not piston 
rocking as the piston is only aluminum.  It's the piston ring pressure that 
makes the ridge.
> 
> >The original appears to be about 30 deg from horizontal, but I've heard 
> that 45 >may 
> >be better. The flexhone package says 45 I think. 

  Yup, you're supposed to have 90 where the cross hatches meet.

> 
> >Next I need to decide if I will pay the $50 to have it tanked - I need to 
> get the int >shaft bearings pressed anyway, so I might as well I guess. Hagar 
> mentioned not >using a corrosive dip, so I'll have to ask about this also. 
> And I need to get the >flywheel turned - the clutch was rusted to it, so it 
> looks a bit rough. 

  Most places "Maytag" the blocks.  It's usually aluminum, small parts or 
smaller shops that use a cold tank solution like carb dip.  Small shops 
also use a hot tank which is no aluminum.  You don't use it if you 
DON'T want to replace any in-block, babbit type bearings.  It'll eat 
them.  Since you're replaceing them I can't see it making a difference 
but it's unlikely they're using a hot tank anyway.

> 
> >I spent the rest of tonight pulling apart the spare Vanagon Diesel engine I 
> got with >my 5 speed stuff - turns out it is a CK block with 1.00 over 
> Brazilian pistons. >From the looks of the sloppy use of RTV everywhere, an amateur 
> job. But the >bores look good, 

  Be sure to check the bores. Most shops will bore them nearly to the 
wear limit so your "new" engine is almost "worn out" before you even 
start it!
      Loren