Used Piston Policy:

Purpose: To inform customers of the risks associated with using collapsed or worn-out pistons in a newly repaired/replated cylinder bore.

Proper piston-to-cylinder clearance is critical for the performance and longevity of power sports engines. As a piston heats up during combustion, it expands to fit the bore, becoming round. Over time, however, the piston skirts can collapse as the piston nears the end of its service life. While some degree of piston skirt collapse is normal, excessive collapse can cause too much piston-to-wall clearance, leading to piston slap and, eventually, piston failure.

When repairing a cylinder, we do not set bores to accommodate used or collapsed pistons. If a cylinder bore is worn and requires repair, the piston should be replaced as well. We strongly recommend replacing the piston or resizing the bore to the nominal specification. Remember, while the piston skirt collapses, the rest of the piston does not. Sizing a bore based on the collapsed skirt dimensions will result in improper clearance for the rest of the piston.

There is NO warranty when repairing/replating a cylinder with a used or worn-out piston.

Cast Iron Cylinder Policy:

Purpose: To inform customers about the challenges associated with plating cast iron cylinders and the alternative repair options available.

When working with cast iron cylinders or cylinders with cast iron sleeves, specific considerations must be considered.

Preferred Repair Method: Our first and best option for repair is to overbore and hone the cylinder to the next size. However, this may not be possible if oversize pistons are not available for your application.

Sleeve Installation: Another option is to install a new sleeve. Depending on the job, sleeve installation may be completed in-house, require outsourcing for sleeves, or necessitate the entire job to be outsourced. These cases are quoted individually.

Plating Considerations: Plating cast iron cylinders is a more complex option. Key concerns include the alloy composition of the cast iron and the amount of embedded oil, both of which can lead to adhesion issues. Unlike aluminum bores, we are less equipped to ensure consistent adhesion with cast iron. While our success rate is approximately 90%, we cannot guarantee perfect adhesion every time.

Additionally, removing plating from a cast iron bore, especially within an aluminum outer casting, presents significant challenges. Our current chemical process minimizes damage to aluminum but can cause pitting and dissolution of cast iron, depending on the alloy and plating thickness. While we strive to control these issues, some bores may develop pits that cannot be fully repaired, and the sealing surface on the cylinder head may require machining after the work is complete.

Due to these challenges, we are unable to plate all cast iron cylinders or cast iron-sleeved aluminum blocks with critical surfaces like bearing journals or mating sealing surfaces.

There is NO warranty when plating a cast iron cylinder.