Sleeves Cracking on 77

gordey · Nov 14, 2013

A friend called and cracked a sleeve when he bolted the head down on his s77 gas, does anybody have any not so obvious idea's on the cause of this? They were 3 5/8" and the block was never touched by a machine shop. Thanks

J. Schwiebert · Nov 14, 2013

Hi Gordey: First of all what brand of sleeves? Next question what number head gasket did he use?

Dick L · Nov 14, 2013

I take it then the crack was on the top rim if it cracked when tightening the head bolts. Any that I saw cracked at the rim was from not properly cleaning the bottom bore and the sleeves were pounded in of frozen and pressed in from confusing wet sleeve installation with dry sleeve installation. I would bet that it was not cleaned so the sleeve without O rings could be dropped down all the way and be able to turn 360 degrees by hand. Could be from some other problem but that is the only one I have seen over the years. If that was where they cracked.

gordey · Nov 14, 2013

It did crack around the rim, however this wasn't his first overhaul, I'm sure he didn't press them in however it is possible that it may not have been clean enough but not likely, he said the protrusion was within spec.

John, this was one of those made in china kits from Korves, I would have to ask about the head gasket all I know is it was one of those skinny ones.

8v92guy · Nov 14, 2013

I had same problem but with diesel. I did clean block checked sleeve protrusion 1-4 thousandths. After the first set broke sent to machine shop with new set of sleeves had them machine counter bores and fit sleeves. putting it back together second time I heard them break tightening the head. At this point I was very frustrated so I started really checking things out. what I think the problem is that the compression ring on head gasket is the same diameter as the bore of the sleeve and a little thicker than old one. I think the compression ring should be a little bigger so when torqued it pushes on the outer ledge of sleeve. I could be wrong but I will no this winter because I am going to have a head gasket custom made. ps..I threw it together with old sleeves and pistons and old head gasket and pulled it all summer. good luck with yours.

e · Nov 14, 2013

Listen to 8v92guy. MAKE CERTAIN the firing ring on the head gasket sits directly over the counter bore in the block and does not go to the ID of the liner.

Chinese kit from Korves? Cringe!

gordey · Nov 14, 2013

The head gasket is the best theory I could come up with also, you wouldn't catch me buying that particular engine kit, that's for sure!

pllr · Nov 15, 2013

I used the 3 5/8 kit from Korves on a 77 last winter, I did spend a lot of time getting the lower bore cleaned up good enough to allow the sleeve to set all the way to the bottom and turn freely by hand, worked on and off about 2 weeks at it, install sleeve, would not set down far enough, pull back out, clean/emery a little more, test again....

BM · Nov 15, 2013

I typed up a 6 paragraph response, and decided against posting it.

Your problem is sleeves made out of poor quality material.

Dick L · Nov 16, 2013

Very well could be the head gasket firing ring if poor/brittle material used. Being 75 and not familiar with the Chinese kits I have not seen the head gasket problems. Not a nice deal but nice to know that it could be the problem.

J. Schwiebert · Nov 16, 2013

I agree and maybe some of the dimensions are a little different as well. J.

Sleeves Cracking on 77

gordey

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J. Schwiebert

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Dick L

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gordey

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8v92guy

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e

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gordey

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pllr

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BM

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Dick L

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J. Schwiebert

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