Cylinder Hones

[quick2008]

Hi Everyone.

Ive been looking around at various cylinder hones, and have seen alot of the "Flex-hone" brand.
They seem to look like a fairly good product?? (someone correct me if need be)

Wondering if anyone else uses these, or any other type?

Is there a good "all round" grit like , 240 or 320?

Any advice appreciated

Cheers

[Rex Hall Jr.]

If you are running a 2 cycle engine, the Flexhone is not what you want. They tend to hang up in the ports and radius the ports as you are honing. Try a ridgid hone, like a Sunnen product.

[ToneDef]

here is what I use for my 2 strokes; one of this style.

[Mark75H]

I agree that there is no substitute for a flat hone to show whether a bore is true, but I have not had any trouble with the balls "hanging up" in the ports nor adding any additional radius. Maybe it depends on using the right size for the bore.

I have read some manufacturers warn that 2 strokes will wear the balls out faster than 4 strokes.

I use both types.

[Tim Kurcz]

Here's an image of a Sunnen portable rigid hone. The normal procedure is to finish all port and interior hand work, bore to rough dimension (within .003" of desired finish bore), ball hone briefly right and left rotation without stroking to chamfer all ports, then finally to finish hone with a rigid hone to finish bore diameter.

[Ron Hill]

here is what I use for my 2 strokes; one of this style.

Spring hones follow the OLD cyclinder. You want the cyclinder to be straight, therefore a Sunnon RIDGID hone or like a Sunnon is the ONLY hone for cycliders......on RACE MOTORS. Spring hones are good for brake cyclinders.

ADD: Listen to Rex Hall, Jr.

[hydroplay]

You have to keep in mind that when Rex says he doesn't like the ball hones that he is dealing with cylinders that have more ports in them than solid surface not a simple cylinder as on stock/mod blocks.

[Fastjeff57]

Agreed, but what grits do you experts out there recommend?

Jeff

[David Mason]

Here's an image of a Sunnen portable rigid hone. The normal procedure is to finish all port and interior hand work, bore to rough dimension (within .003" of desired finish bore), ball hone briefly right and left rotation without stroking to chamfer all ports, then finally to finish hone with a rigid hone to finish bore diameter.

I agree with Tim 100%. This is the correct way to do it for a racing engine. For a stock engine used for non-racing applications, you might elect a cheaper hone.

[quick2008]

Thanks For the good info guys,
Looks like i might have a look for a sunnen to suit i think,

Cheers,

quick08