Can I hone Flathead lifter bores?

busmania

busmania

Well-known member
I got my block back from the machine shop. It looks like there is a very slight amount of surface rust in the lifter bores. Should I home this with a wheel cylinder hone? Or will that remove too much material?
 
Why bother doing anything about it? The lifters will make short work of any surface rust before the thermostats even open up.
 
ford38v8 said:
Why bother doing anything about it? The lifters will make short work of any surface rust before the thermostats even open up.
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This is probably true, but I would cringe at putting a lifter in a visibly rusty bore. I'll bet most folks are like that, too.
 
A wheel cyl hone will not remove too much material. You do want a nice clean smooth surface to make sure the lifters rotate freely when they operate, so do what it takes to achieve that. Cleanup after honing is of course of utmost importance.


Terry
 
I ended up running the hone for a very short time through each bore. Cleaning didn’t do enough for me plus but I honed it moreso to make sure there wasn’t a sharp edge from drilling the holes for the adjustable lifters. I maybe did 3 seconds per hole. Just enough to ensure it’s smooth but not really remove any material. I then washed the block for final prep for about an hour. Not sure it could be any cleaner! Thanks y’all.
 
After I drill all my lifter bores for the lifter adjustment stop. i run a brake cylinder hone thrugh the lifter bore nabd the guide bor to clean them and remove any chips from drilling,
This is another reaon I like to run a 95
 
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3M makes these great Scotch Brite pads that are like a flowers or balls. They go on a standard spindle so you can get into various depths. They are great for they remove rust or small burrs but don't remove material.
 
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