Honing For The Home Engine Builder

The Dingelberry, or Ball Hone is one of the most misused tools in the home engine builders arsenal. Here is why they should never be used when freshening up a seasoned engine, and what to use instead.
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*SOCIAL MEDIA:

[Yotraj]

Long time mechanic here.... got a call once where 3 guys had just installed new rings in a 58 Vette... and they couldn't get it to crank over... not even by hand! it was locked up tight. I found they had not removed the carbon in the piston ring grooves (didn't even know they had to) before beating the pistons back into the block. I'm mentioning this because those uninitiated to the process might like (need) to see a video relating to using a ring groove cleaner. In the old days we just broke a used ring and then used the edge of it as a scraper to do the job.

[VinnyMartello]

I love how realistic uncle Tony is. He knows that a lot of home builders aren’t interested in 900HP twin turbo super cars. We just want to drive and enjoy our cars.

[bryoncovell]

It's awesome that someone with so many years of experience dedicates his YouTube channel to helping keep alive the thrill of building the older cars. I've never watched one of his videos that I didn't learn something. Thanks Tony and keep up the great videos.

[josephbarnes]

I love how some get on a guys channel to try and beat him down for sharing info that has worked for him and has worked for thousands of others. Love this channel

[MrBlitzkrieg]

Uncle Tony you are the realest most relatable car guy for the average person working on their car at home. Thank you for that!

[henktulp]

I couldn’t agree more Tony!!!
I have worked about five years in a smal workshop in Croatia...compaired to the Netherlands (where I’m from) labour is cheap and parts are expensive and/or hard to find...
You will not believe the ‘Balkan System’ solutions in order to keep old equipment going....the main store was tons of scrap gathered over the years...we worked on anything with an engine;chainsaw to 20liter boat engines....average I’ld say we did around 2 engines a week...we would give 1 year of full waranty!! And have had hardly any trouble...
Keeping old sh*t going, to me, is topnotch job....no waste, grateful customers and a huge addition to my mechanical skills.
People with too much money can be so hard to please...fixing a chainsaw for a few bugs for some poor sod that invites you for dinner is soo much more rewarding....

[sewing]

Too bad YouTube and Uncle Tony's channel wasn't available 40-50 years ago when I rebuilt the engine in my 1969 Javelin.

[tastcoupe]

I worked at an engine revision shop back in the early 80's. For honing cylinders we used a device which looked like a piston with 4 stones coming out of the sides which could be extended outwards by turning a nut on a threaded bar. It was driven by an electric motor with two solid grips on either sides so you could counter the force when spinning the device in the cylinder. You had to move it in and out through the cylinder whille trying not to lose your balance (these things were pretty powerful)
Unfortunately I couldnt find any pictures of it online, guess no one uses it anymore, but if you had the experience (that took a while to get) you could get really great results in terms of final dimensions and roundness on the cylinder.
We also used to taper the cylinders very slightly, a bit wider towards the bottom, smaller to the top. Reasoning was the faster heat up of the top thus slightly advanced expansion there.
In that machine shop we did everything the old fashioned way, manual labor considering every block a unique project. I chose a different carreer path once I realized this trade was going the way of the dodo. They did manage to stay in business catering for the really high end racing or classic cars but the demand was too low to have a future.
What I've done ever since has nothing to do with engines, nor even cars but I do feel privileged having learned such a specific trade using such old school technology, machinery and tools.

[tubesOtoothpaste]

Tony, don't you dare, EVER, die on us! That level of "in the trenches" wisdom and knowledge MUST live on! FOREVER!

[ken]

Excellent and informative video! I appreciate the fact you're focusing on the average person who is on a budget and doesn't need crazy horsepower. I am that guy.

[brianlove]

A machine shop uses a 4 "fingered" hone, a 3 stone hone will follow and out of round bore. A 4 position portable hone is what you should be using, I have found a Lisle one to be very good for this, not expensive either. You are spot on about the flex hone, I have many of these and they are perfect for what they are intended for, breaking glaze and putting a fine finish over an already good bore.

[mikef.]

Love your philosophy of engine reconditioning. Tired of "pros" saying you can't do this, you can't do that... but the rest of us have to live in the real world! Thanks Tony.

[bradcromwell]

I've been doing that for years, for that exact reason. My machinist buddies always give me a hard time. Nice to hear another pro back it up. Well said Tony.

[scotts]

Yes Tony, ball hones are just basically glaze breakers, basically makes the cylinder look good, that’s it!!👍

[wb]

I understand your point but at the dealership when we actually rebuilt engines long ago I preferred the ball hone because I wasn’t working on old stuff that laid around for years open to environment and it always worked great for me. Using the fixed stone you need to be careful not to make the cylinder oversized for the rings you’re using

[kevingunn]

This is why I look up to UTG states his choice backs up his reason iv learned (there's more than one way to skin a cat) by a old ass mechanic but UTG don't spit out his choice without reason that's why this dude's badass

[darensamuels]

I think it is good to keep goals and expectations aligned with budgets and processes. I built a bunch of engines using basic tools and a cylinder hone. These old engines can be quite forgiving and run great without having to build to extreme specs, as long as you keep them clean and use good quality parts. Thanks for the education Uncle Tony and keep it coming!

[joekaz]

I'm a DIY guy but I leave block prep to the machine shop. I've never spent more than $500 for a build-ready block.

[rekazu]

UTG/ you have surpassed every expectation when I get on YouTube to watch random videos. I’m glad I’m subscribed to you. You keep it real and teach exactly what I’m looking to learn as that home DIY car guy. Thank you! Never change your motive!

[heathenamerican]

This is great advice, on home honing for cylinder bores. I've been using flat stones since I screwed up one engine using just a ball hone and my old boss gave me a hard time about it haha. Lessons learned, thanks for being the better part of the YouTube Automotive channels.