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Honing cylinders

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by MrSeca, Mar 5, 2026 at 12:30 AM.

  1. MrSeca

    MrSeca Active Member

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    Seca 650
    Bought new piston rings and after doing some research I learned I have to hone out the cylinders first before putting it back together. What size cylinder hone do I buy? What kind do I buy? I’m noticing there are different grit sizes as well. What grit size do I buy? If there are any tutorials you could point me to that’d be great. Thanks.
     
    MrSeca, Mar 5, 2026 at 12:30 AM
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  2. JBurch

    JBurch Active Member

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    McMaster_Carr for the hone; I would suggest the following, stock # 4424A904, 600 grit. It is called a flexible ball hone; This one has an overall length of 8 inches, 3 inch band of abrasive. I have used WD-40, kerosene, diesel fuel,, what was handy for cutting fluid.. You do not want to remove a lot of materiel from the cylinder, stroke the hone in and out of the cylinder for about 30 seconds, move on to the next cylinder. Try not to run the hone all the way out the bottom of the cylinder.

    If you don't want to shop McMaster-Carr for the hone, try your favorite auto parts store.

    Good luck
     
    JBurch, Mar 5, 2026 at 10:47 AM
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  3. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Then clean the bores with white cloth soaked in kerosene or similar until the cloth comes out spotlessly clean.
     
    Minimutly, Mar 5, 2026 at 4:51 PM
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  4. JBurch

    JBurch Active Member

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    Thanks for pointing that out, my mistake for not pointing that out, good call!
     
    JBurch, Mar 5, 2026 at 5:19 PM
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  5. MrSeca

    MrSeca Active Member

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    That's what I needed. Thanks. When actually honing the cylinder does it matter which direction you go in? Meaning, should you hone from the bottom of the cylinder or the top?
     
    MrSeca, Mar 6, 2026 at 11:25 AM
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  6. JBurch

    JBurch Active Member

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    Hone top to bottom
     
    JBurch, Mar 6, 2026 at 1:08 PM
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  7. Dan Gardner

    Dan Gardner Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    With the dingleball (Flex-Hone) hones, it is important that the drill is turning before you insert it into the cylinder - then stroke it up and down a specific number of times. You will want to be consistent and do the same (or about the same) number of strokes on each cylinder.

    I suggest finding "Jim's Automotive Machine Shop" on YouTube and find some episodes where they do some honing. That up and down movement of the honing machine is the movement you will want to mimic. "Vice Grip Garage" does some engine rebuild videos with the dingleball hones too that would be a good demonstration of how to do it. Here's a good one:
     
    Dan Gardner, Mar 6, 2026 at 1:56 PM
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  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    It's so good to see great advice still being shared here.
     
    k-moe, Mar 8, 2026 at 4:45 PM
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