When to re-sleeve cylinders?

[rrubel]

Now that I have had the heads off for a bit, and I'm looking down at the cylinders in bright light, I can see a visible ridge where the piston reaches TDC. Is this normal? It's barely palpable; more visible as a less-shiny area than anything else. But if it's time to take care of the cylinders, I want to do it now while the engine is apart (though I'm not really sure how I'm going to do it - somehow pull the short block and take it to a shop? Rollback the whole car? Buy a new short block and rebuild from there?).

Is it really possible, as someone once told me, to do piston/cylinder work through the oil sump area, without pulling the engine? Yes, I'm resisting the inevitable, I think.

Suggestions are welcome, offers of large local machine shops and engine hoist rentals to do the work are even more welcome...

TIA,
[RICHR]

 

[tnovot]

cylinder ridge

Yes, the ridge at the top of the cylinder is normal and does not NECESSARILY indicate a problem.
You should probably get an inside micrometer and measure both the out-of round and cylinder taper (from top to bottom) to see if they are within specs.
If the ridge is not built up too much, leave it alone. You can remove the ridge with a ridge reamer but some are tricky to use and you must take care not to gouge the cylinder wall below the ridge. It can be done with the block in the car. If you thought cleaning piston tops and keeping carbon particles out of the rings was a challenge, wait until you see how many metal particles this operation will produce! Maybe Auto Zone or other local parts places have these on a rent or even a free loan basis.
If the cylinders are not within specs, why sleeve the cylinders? The block can be bored wqithout sleeving + .030 over makes a 355.
Have you thought about getting ahold of a good engine rebuild book, special edition Hot Rod or Chevy High Performance magazine, or video to learn more about engine basics?

 

[rrubel]

No, actually, I didn't think of getting a book on it. Why? No idea, really... I've got books on builing UP an SBC, but none on rebuilding basics.

Thanks for the info.
[RICHR]

 

[tnovot]

engine work

Depending on how your cylinders measure out, you could have quite a project still ahead of you (removing block, taking to shop for machine work, new oversize pistons & rings, etc.)
Otherwise, you could just put it all back together and enjoy the ride. I reread your first message again and it sounds like the ridge buildup is minimal so hopefully you can take the easier option.
Best of luck to you

 

[livinez]

120K+ miles right?

And you are putting on new heads, if I remember right.
Happy holidays!
See if a buddy has the necessary tools to measure your bores with the short block in frame.
I'm guessing you are getting close to being out of tolerance.
Now you have choices to make based on your abilities, budget and desires.
Rent, borrow or buy a engine puller(hoist) and buy a engine stand and take the short block apart.
you can have your block and crank checked out and if alls good rebuild it yourself. (my choice usually)
Which means getting a engine kit from Summit, Paws or one of the other speed catalogs and having a machine shop boil, and bore your block. Also have new cam bearing and freeze plugs installed. Then assemble it yourself with the help of a good manual and the necessary tools.
Don't know what your preformance goals are or what preformance parts you have already.
The higher your goals the more spendy parts you can buy! WHEE!! Trick rods, Forged pistons, hotter cam, lifters and rockers what fun!

Or you can get a short block predone. Usually the cost isnt too much higher than doing a short block yourself. Usually.
Never done a vette motor before(matching#s and all is kinda important to some) so really dont know. My 85 looks like just another 2 bolt block to me.
Since you werent planning on doing the bottom end (so it seemed to Me) you can just leave it alone and run it until it fails.
Don't think I would take a ridge reemer to it with the pistons in, but thats me.
I'll be "deridging" and ball honing a new X hatch in my cylinders, but I am pulling it apart and installing new rings and bearings also.

My engine kit just got in today so I will be getting busy with it as time allows. (Job, Xmas shopping and trying up the last loose ends on two businesses I,m selling out of, are taking up all my spare time ad ) Want to get it assembled and return to driving my beauty. Will decide if I want to put my built motor in it at a later date.
Good luck with your ongoing build, TC