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3.2 Elite - Surface rust in bores

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JamesV6CDX:
Last July I bought a 3.2 Elite, non runner. Cambelt failure, trashed valves. I took it apart to diagnose the problem (heads off) but then got rather unwell and haven’t really worked on a car since. On a few occasions I’ve opened the bonnet, taken one look and thought “sod that” and closed it again.

Last week I decided I need to make a start. I noticed that, where it’s been sat with the heads off, the bores have collected a light layer of surface rust.

I am not taking the lump out (I’m not sure I’ll ever do work of that magnitude again) but for my own satisfaction (and to enjoy the Elite!) I’d like to get this running again. So I decided it has 2 chances and I would clean the bores with some wet and dry.

That is what I’ve done. The end result is some very clean looking bores, but it has also removed some of the previous hone markings. The bores are now silky smooth to touch with a finger, but they look quite scratched. They are not scratched at all, to the touch / fingernail and are totally smooth.

After cleaning them I put a generous amount of oil in each one and turned the crank by hand - again, turns absolutely fine and smoothly with no undue resistance.

Do we think I’ll get away with it? Can’t imagine I’d have widened them enough for bore taper, or oil burning?

Of note there was no rust below any of the pistons, just above where they were sat.

Thanks for your thoughts. Hoping it can still be saved from the scrapper. It’s a nice example that has new sills etc and cream leather so I’d like to run about in her over the summer  :y

JamesV6CDX:
As an aside the pistons are in good order seemingly. There are some kiss marks on all 6 from valve contact, but it’s very light and appears the valves took the brunt of the impact. I’m told it failed at idle, so hopefully with refurbed heads it will be good again

cam.in.head:
considering that bores wear with mileage and still run absolutely perfect (until they reach a point obviously) i cant imagine that a light polish would have done any harm. ive rebuilt many an engine using original pistons and rings and polished the same as you with no issues.
i have simulated the hone pattern by moving the paper up and down as rotating it.

Doctor Gollum:
If you can see the scratches, then they're there. Slap it back together and call it done. Once it's back running down a compression check... as long as all 6 are within 10% of each other and it starts and runs ok then that's job jobbed.

Worst case it's another old Omega with a tired engine ;)

dave the builder:
I put a light hone in bores when fitting new piston rings or de-glaze a pot
sounds like it was just light surface rust ,
cam.in.head's "simulated the hone pattern by moving the paper up and down as rotating it." :y
the hone just "holds" the oil on the bores 

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