A funny thing happened...

[trbig]

So I paint my cylinders with 1200 degree paint. The directions say to put them in the oven to bake the paint.. either 350 degrees for 2 hours, or 400 for 1 1/2 hours. I opt for the 400 route.

So I set the cylinders on an oven rack standing straight up on the bottom of the jugs. After about an hour, I hear a CRASH!! in the oven. I open the door, and all the piston sleeves have come loose from the cylinders!?!? The fins are flat on the rack and the jugs are all sticking up in the air!

I turned them over and got them back flush in the block and let it cool. They seem tight now... but what about at operating temps? What's the deal? Should this be something to worry about? There's a little oily fluid... I am assuming Naptha that got in there from the boring?

I also forgot to take off the big orange rubber O-rings around the base of the cylinders before cooking... although I don't think I did it before either. But one came apart this time. What purpose do these serve?


Tod

[fredintoon]

Differential expansion

Hi trbig,
when the engine is running the fins get hot because there's a fire inside. The cast iron liners are way hotter than the aluminum that surrounds them so expand further and jam in tighter even if their expansion coefficient is less.
Go bake the block in the oven and it's all at the same temperature and the sleeves fall out.
No problem in normal use.
As for the orange o-rings, that'll larn ya to be more careful next time.

[prometheus578]

O rings are part of the oil seal system, same as the base gasket.
I don't have a cylinder bank in front of me to look at, but those O rings might help seal between the cylinder bank and the sleeve.

[trbig]

Thanks guys.

I baked another set like this.... no wait. I baked THIS set before like this and it didn't happen. I'll steal an O-ring from these other cylinders when I get them off.

And Pro.... what do you have to do to become a member of this "Cylinder Bank". I'd like to join. If this set doesn't work out, I may have to get a loan or withdrawl at least!


Tod

[skids]

Oh sh*t! That sounds like something that would happen to me!

[DiverRay]

The sleeves have a lip at the top, that the head pushes down on when assembled. If you had the barrels head side down, on a block of wood, it would NOT be a problem. Just a thought for the next time.....

[Mike F]

Hi All
Sorry to hear about your misfortune trbig, does anyone know whether the liners can be refitted and used?

I've got a good set of pistons and liners but the fins are shot. I was wondering whether I could use the good liners when my current set well used.

Any thoughts?
Thanks
MikeF