8ba Cylinder sleeves

[Finn Flatty]

Hi,
I have an 8ba block, 4 cyliders of which have been sleeved.
All four are on the same side. Has anyone come across with
similar cases?
I have the diameter specs of each cylinder, and double-checking the measures I realized that .080 for this block is just what has to be done if it will be done.
Have these 49-53 blocks ever been sleeved from the factory. I'm just
wondering if there were imperfect blocks that were repaired this way on
Henry's plants.
Anyway, was there any standard wall thickness used on sleeves? Just asking this as it's hard to get a strict measure of the sleeve thickness to evaluate if boring can be carried out aiming to use those .080 pistons I already have.

-Pasi

[George/Maine]

I have one of those blocks 4 sleves one side i talked with you on hamb.
I have .060 over.
What i have found is sleeves are all sizes but common is 5/32 .156 and if you are out .080 you have very thin sides maybe .076 dia about .038 side.
I wouldNOT bore any more if its aready at .080 over.
You can bore till you hit water they have wet sleves.
When the block was setup for machining they mayhave not centered it,If some bored to far only one would be needed.
Does it have factory bearing and maybe orginal pistons by ford.

[Straightpipes]

I also have a block with 4 sleeves on one side. This engine has never been rebuilt so I would assume that it was done at the factory. Probably to correct a casting problem.

[bbrocksr]

The standard replacement sleeve was .125/1/8" wall. The thin wall sleeve as they were called was .093 /3/32" wall. After they are installed and bored
they could be various wall thickness.
Bill

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

As Bill says, the most popular repair sleeves are 3/32and 1/8. I've installed many many working in auto machine shop all my life. It depends on what is behind the sleeve. I've sleeved many with a hole in the wall you can put your fist in. With something like that I use 1/8 sleeves but only finish it not over .030 Walt

[Finn Flatty]

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Thank you George, Straightpipes, bbrocksr and Walt Dupont--Me..
I'm mining info considering this topic in both forums to gather as much info as possible, and I really appreciate your input.
I don't have original pistons and bearings, only the cams. To bore .080 is only in my plans so far as I got the pistons with a car swap and I'm preparing the operation.

-Pasi

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Well Finn, it's to bad we cain't x-ray these blocks. To me it still depends what's behind those sleeves. We'll say thay are 1/8 wall sleeves and there is a big hole as big as your fist behind the sleeve. If you bore .080 that's .040 to a side that leaves .085 left for the cyl. Chances are that will work but it gets a little scarry. BUT, if there is no big hole behind the sleeve, just thinner walls I'd go .080 and not worry. But who knows. Walt

[Finn Flatty]

Yes, the possibility of a hole behind the sleeves is something I will not get information of before the operation, but thanks for your wise words Walt.
I will go on with boring as my machinist seems to be willing to give the block a chance.
As I have most parts for the engine, the possible failure will not be such a grand scale financial disaster. I'll comment my project progress later on.

-Pasi

[George/Maine]

I would,nt bore to .080,I have one .060 over now and have running hot problems.
Sell the pistons or use on a good block .030 is plenty,Are you going to race anyone,
i have yet to beat my shadow.I wouldnt, be much different only bragging rights.

[flatjack9]

I have never understood why a thinner wall would lead to higher operating temps. We're only talking about .010, this the difference in wall thickness between .060 and .080.

[Dodge]

You can sonic check the block and that will tell you whats behind the sleeve, if you
hit a big hole behind the sleeve it will give a reading of the sleeve only.
You can also bore out the sleeves and use thicker ones, then go to .080
L.A. Sleeve will make you anything you want if you can't find an off the shelf one.

[George/Maine]

I would think that with 4 sleeves may well have been factory.
With say .125 sleeve thats .250 1/4 "over,now to clean up say .020 to std.
.250minus .040= .210 minus .040 for .080 over is only .065 wall
That is why i think it runs hoter.
And if the sleeves get closer together less water flow between cylinders,thats if they break into water.
That is the only thing i can think of why mine is running hot.

[Ol' Ron]

I had a similar problem with a block with all 8 cylinders selves with 1/8" sleeve, I removed them and had the block sonic tested. Still had over 175" in it's thinnest area.
I try to bore all my blocks .125" if possable or to 3 5/16, This gives 258ci with a stock Ford crank and makes a great street engine especially with a milled EAB or 81A head. Compression would be near 8:1. A 2GC carb on a merck intale opened up for it and you have an inexpensive street engine that would be hard to beat . Even get great mileage.

[George/Maine]

I have another idea why it has sleeves on one side.
They may have never hit water"Gone into water jacket"
The 4 bores were off location
and they needed .060 to bring in line and to keep the bore to bottom correct but over size.Then they had to do other side to even out with .060 over.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

I had a similar problem with a block with all 8 cylinders selves with 1/8" sleeve, I removed them and had the block sonic tested. Still had over 175" in it's thinnest area.
I try to bore all my blocks .125" if possable or to 3 5/16, This gives 258ci with a stock Ford crank and makes a great street engine especially with a milled EAB or 81A head. Compression would be near 8:1. A 2GC carb on a merck intale opened up for it and you have an inexpensive street engine that would be hard to beat . Even get great mileage.

That is right Ron, I've built alot of them like that. I think the 81A heads are the best but scarce. The plane A heads are just about as good and plentyfull. I built one for a friend with a 41 coupe, That's a little heavy compared to a A roadster, but I cain't believe the low end torque that bone stock, except the bore, 41 coupe has. Walt

[Ol' Ron]

With a 400jr cam they make a great stock car engine. A light wheel in a 34 ford and man that fun.

[Straightpipes]

How about this Ron? I run this on my 265 engine with L-100.

[chuck stevens]

I have a factory sleeved 59A, Four all on the same side. I always thought they must have had a core shift problem and rather than scrap the blocks they sleeved them. But I have a 41 block with ALL cylinders sleeved.... who knows maybe porosity of the cylinder surface. I have boared a 221 out to use standard 239 pistons, worked ok, no sand pockets.
Hey George, still thinking about that fun day at the fantasy speedway, too bad I'm so far away that was a blast. Happy holidays Chuck S.

[Unshined2]

Rookie question here.... can a person pull the sleeves and resleeve them. Or do you just bore out until the sleeve is gone?? As an insurance policy could you pull the sleeves and inspect the block for major problems and resleeve. Or is it too cost prohibitive?

[George/Maine]

Hi Chuck
Talking to one of the owers and has sold his 36 chevy coupe.Be a new ower out there this year.I pickup a new junker for the next project.If there is a pa trip next year may do that one. Happy holidays George Nice running flathead 8rt