The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Line boring

I may need to have my 261 line bored; not sure yet and haven't talked with a machine shop about it. I keep hearing how much more expensive it is to have the Chev six line bored because every hole is a different size; I wonder if it really makes a difference; every hole is bored with a seperate cutter and these must be adjusted to cut whatever amount so is it really more trouble? Anybody with experience here?

Yes, it's really a lot more trouble.
Don't do it unless there is no other way to save the block.

If your crank did not show abnormal wear, I wouldn't worry about line boring. About the only way the crank bores get off is if the engine got very hot. If the deck is straight and the crank wore normally, just run it.

It's hard to tell by the crank wear; mains have been turned .010 and evidently everything reassembled without cleaning anything; all bearings had lots of metal particles inbeded. Lots of scoring. The whole engine has had the wreaking yard mechanic treatment; mismatched fastners, some bolts too tight some just snug, on and on, so I'm not sure just how much it's gona take to get it back right.

Might be better off getting a core motor that your more sure of. Sounds like your asking for opening up a hornet nest with yours.

If its just dirt and crap ruining the bearings, that doesn't really call for line boring, if the block is ruined another way somehow, it might be cheaper to find another one, or go to another machine shop, there should be no problem with checking the alignment before you go to the expense of boring it, and it shouldn't be a forgone conclusion that it needs it.
And before any 'experts" get wound up, I've been a machinist for over 35 years.

there should be no problem with checking the alignment before you go to the expense of boring it, and it shouldn't be a forgone conclusion that it needs it.

X2

what is considered expensive, $100, $300, $500, $1000.I always hear it is expensive, but have never heard of an actual price attached.

brokenhead, you bring up a good point. We always see reference to price but very few actually "tell it like it is". For me I usually just throw in the cost and then let individuals decide if its "expensive" or not.

We all have to realize the prices differ a lot depending on what part of this vast universe we live in. I have found that to be very true!
Nevertheless, I think some people don't like to list "what they pay" for fear of findin out maybe they were "taken for a ride" and paid waaay to much.... or on the other hand they don't want to feel cheap?!!

What it is.....is what it is. It always helps to as educated as you can be when making any type decision. I for one like to see/hear folks just "tell it like it is"...... and also how many years its been since they did it. A boring that cost 50 bucks 10 years ago now probably cost 150 but I like to know even that!!
....of coarse we could let our fingers do the walking and use the phone book.

I don't know that I have a problem with the bearing bores; I'm just trying to cover all the bases. I would hate to have all the machine work done and the new parts ready to install and find that the crank won't turn when the caps are torqued down, then after checking everything that could be wrong find out that the block needed line boring.

Couple thoughts on this
1. Dont make problems where they are not existant.
2. If you are concerned get it checked out by a machine shop.
3. Yes it will cost I dont know how much
BUT you will have peace of mind
4. Capital cost vs operating cost issue ie what is cost of checking vs lifetime cost of aspirin and stress medicine?

Dan Bentler

Very well said!!