Sleeving a Cylinder
 

I recently rebuilt a 502 mag EFI to a 509 EFI (wiht all the goodies 10:1 comp pistons, roller cam, roller rockers, inconnel valves, headers, etc., etc.). We had the injectors cleaned prior to putting the motor back together, but after less than 10 hours on the water, we detonated piston #8 due to a bad injector.

My questions is this - the piston detonation potentially caused some cylinder wall damage. It has been recommended that I sleeve the cylinder. Anyone done this? Any issues with long term reliability in saltwater? Should I be concerned?

If sleeving is not the way to go, what are my alternatives?

Thanks for the input.

My brother has had to sleeve 2 of his cylinders. Never had a problem with the sleeves. I've been told that sleeves have the highest success rate when on the end cylinders.

I had to sleeve a cylinder in a 454, I had no problems with it in 6 years.

mike

You should be able to do a thin wall sleeve with no problem.
Good luck :)

Although I have never had the misfortune of having to sleeve a marine motor, I have had to sleeve Drag Race (Car) motors in the past. Of the few I have had done, I can say that I never had a problem. However, I feel the success of this type of repair is dependant on the machine shop who does the job. As with anything else, jobs can be done right or they can be done wrong.

I noticed you said you built 502 to 509". Since you are talking about injectors, i assume you have efi 502 mag. Did you change injectors? And, did you reprogram the ECU? If not, you will have same problem as before. The ECU still thinks that you have stock cubes and camshaft, and therefore delivering same amount of fuel as needed for the stock 502. You should reprogram before running again if you did not do so already. It takes more fuel to make more power, and not enough fuel will turn good parts into conversation pieces. I just went through the same thing when building 350's to 383's. Call Mark Boos at precision marine in kenner la. He can add a little more fuel by reprogramming the ECU! Not sticking my nose in your bizz, just trying to help. I have also ran sleeves, and had no problem with them.
Steve;)

Guys - thanks for the info.... I'll keep you posted. Sounds like sleeving is not a bad idea; however, it looks like I need to go with new injectors.

P29 Scarab - we did reprogram the ECU; however, we only cleaned the injectors and did not replace them. I guess we'll look into higher flow injectors. Thanks for the info.

As long as the machinist leaves a shoulder at the bottom of the cylinder when he bores it for the sleeve to butt against you'll be fine.

I had to have a cylinder sleeved in one of my SBC's when the machinist drilled a hole through it when he was drilling out plugged steam holes. I've got about ten hours on it with no problems. He did such a good job putting in the sleeve that I really had to look to see it. I just wish he was better with a drill.:p