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DISCUSSION => Swaps, Turbos, Buildups => Topic started by: nickmpower on August 26, 2007, 09:04:57 PM

Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: nickmpower on August 26, 2007, 09:04:57 PM
ok well some of you may have heard of all the troubles im having with my engine

well i finally bit the bullet and took it out, after taking the head off i found i could move the pistons around in the bores.

im thinking this isnt right

the first one is the piston moved all the way toward me, the second is away.

(http://nicktenhulzen.com/ring1.JPG)
(http://nicktenhulzen.com/ring2.JPG)
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: bmwman91 on August 27, 2007, 12:14:44 AM
As in they can wiggle around noticeably by hand?  You should have some words with your mechanic about the pistons he selected for your application.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: nickmpower on August 27, 2007, 01:19:12 AM
oh yeah they an wiggle. And I am the mechanic, except the machinist that bored and put the short block together. The Pistons were supposed to be 86.5 and the block bored .003 over but im thinking he might have done .03 on accident.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: Naked Assault Gerble on August 27, 2007, 01:52:55 AM
he owes you new custom pistons then.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: rob_e30 on August 27, 2007, 08:40:00 AM
I guess that explains the blow-by.  :(

I would take the whole short block back and have him measure everything.  Who assembled the short block?  I told the my machine shop what I wanted for compression ratio and over bore and had him specifiy and order the pistons as well as assemble the short block.  He lost one or two of the oil sprayers but he told me and I ordered new ones from the dealership.

I'm really sorry to hear you're having problems.  Good luck.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: bmwman91 on August 27, 2007, 09:41:13 AM
Quote from: nickmpower;32555
oh yeah they an wiggle. And I am the mechanic, except the machinist that bored and put the short block together. The Pistons were supposed to be 86.5 and the block bored .003 over but im thinking he might have done .03 on accident.


Yikes!  What is the maximum allowable overbore on these?  Is he going to owe you a new block as well?
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: badboypolar on August 27, 2007, 01:06:34 PM
Max piston to wall clearance is .15mm which isn't much, so .03" is a hell of alot (.762mm). I'd check with the machinest to see what he did. Most machinest will measure the piston(s) then machine the block.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: bmwpower on August 27, 2007, 01:13:18 PM
Print this and bring it to the guy.....

Wait...86.5????  You're waaaaay over.
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: nickmpower on August 27, 2007, 01:21:39 PM
yes these are custom piston so they are bigger then stock
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: nickmpower on August 28, 2007, 05:59:48 PM
well i just took the block apart with my machinist and everything looked fine. my life sucks
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: bmwpower on August 28, 2007, 08:42:39 PM
Quote from: nickmpower;32653
well i just took the block apart with my machinist and everything looked fine. my life sucks


wha?  So the movement is normal then?  You checked the bores?  Did they come out to spec?
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: asubimmer on August 28, 2007, 08:59:22 PM
you need a new "machinist"
Title: pistons move around in bores
Post by: tim_s on August 29, 2007, 07:19:00 AM
Bore looks ovalled or piston not in centre of bore in last pic; may not be much of a prob; does it do that all the way through the bore or just at the top of the bore? what is the bore to piston clearance in mm? shouldn't be your mayo problem though. what did you replace when you built the new engine? is the prob better/worse on new engine? new water pump, lower timing case etc? profile gasket look ok? i've seen a hole above water pump on the block of an m40 before too, that caused water in oil as it got into the timing case. I really hope you get it sorted :(