<VV> Cylinder assemblies vs Pistons/rings + rebore

[Karl Haakonsen (cityhawk@pobox.com)]

Thanks for the input guys. 



Clark's has several different types of rings. I was thinking of going with the Hastings moly rings. I guess it would make sense to get the cylinders/pistons/rings as a fitted set given the low cost difference of the cylinders vs. the pistons/rings a-la-carte. 



I can't remember if I asked this question before, but Clark's sells several different types of pistons as well. Cast, "Hi Tech" cast, forged and hyper-eutectic. I'm looking for street use of a 110/PG and want something that holds up well, but don't need uber performance. I was thinking of the "high tech" pistons as Clark's catalog pushes them for that usage. Don't know if anyone here has experience with this as well. 



Thanks, 

Karl in Boston 

www.chezhawk.com/VairBlog 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Durham" <62vair at gmail.com> 
To: cityhawk at pobox.com 
Cc: virtualvairs at corvair.org 
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 10:48:18 AM 
Subject: Re: <VV> Cylinder assemblies vs Pistons/rings + rebore 

Karl, the cost to have a set of cylinders bored oversize is about the 
same as the cost to get them already bored exchange from Clarks or 
larry's shop. Since you are on the east coast, the cost to ship from 
Larry's shop in CA would outbalance the cost to bore, or get a set 
exchange from Clarks. 

I doubt that Grant Rings are junk. Check out their web site. They are 
in many (1000's) OEM applications and they make a set of chrome rings 
for the Corvair. I just installed a set in the engine I am prepping to 
go back into the car in a week or so. I've overhauled engines since 
1967 and the Grant rings look the same quality as Hastings, total 
Seal, or any other brand, in fact, they looked identical. I've also 
overhauled many air cooled aircraft engines and the rings used in 
those high temp engines also looked the same as Grants. 

I did a lot of comparison shopping between Clarks and Larry's shop. 
Larry's shop was cheaper for the same products, like Clevite bearings, 
total seal lifters, Isky 270 Cam, and since I am on the west coast, I 
decided to use Larry's shop for most everything because of shipping. 
But, you are in the same state as Clarks. If I was in Boston, I would 
use Clarks. 

If you want to save a few pennies, Clarks also has some $ saver cyls, 
ones they have shaved .010 off the top to clean up the gasket surface, 
also available in kits. The shave off will slightly increase 
compression which will also slightly increase HP and gas mileage. 

If you have any further questions, drop me a note. Mark Durham 



On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM, Karl Haakonsen <cityhawk at pobox.com> wrote: 
> Perhaps this question is premature, since I haven't yet had the chance 
> to take my engine apart (I need to use my limited Corvair time to repair 
> my snowblower since we're having a ridiculous amount of snow in Boston 
> this winter).... but does anyone on the list have insight as to the 
> wisdom of buying new piston/cylinder assemblies from Clark's vs just 
> getting oversized pistons/rings and having my existing cylinders 
> rebored? It seems as though the difference in price for the parts is a 
> few hundred dollars, but how much does reboring cost? 
> 
> Also, what of the "full fin" cylinders available from Clark's? Any thoughts? 
> 
> Thanks! 
> Karl in buried Boston 
> www.chezhawk.com/VairBlog 
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