Why are ridge reamers rarely needed nowadays?

markct

Well-known Member
Years ago my father talked about how you would have to ream ridges to put an engine back together even with less than 100,000 miles on it. nowadays I have seen some very high hour or mile engines and no hint of a ridge. Is the oils that much better at clinging to cylinder walls nowadays?
 
Hi. Have wondered the samething I think it is due to getting rid of carburators ( better fuel managment)Getting rid of lead (sulpheric acid) and better oils
 
The synthetic blends help immensely too. That is why you need to run breakin oil for several thousand so the rings can seat.
 
Several reasons, better air filtration, metal alloys, machining techniques, oil, fuel control...

Look how much longer engines last, back in the day, about 60,000 was average for a passenger car/light truck to go before it starter loosing compression and smoking. Now 300,000 is common with proper care.

Oh, for the good old days!
 
In response to all the answers before, so with the current unleaded fuels would the old, say, GM 283, 327 so on, not have the ridge on the rear cylinders if ran today. Seems I remember that the rear cylinders would have the largest ridges. gobble
 
True, but I have seen some really high mileage engines that were worn out, low oil pressure etc, yet had virtually no ridge so just seems like something changed
 
The piston rings in the newer engines are a lower pressure ring. Meaning they don't press against the cylinder walls as hard, thereby reducing friction, and thereby reducing wear. Also as mentioned better oils, metals, and fuel injection.
 
Also tighter piston to bore clearance with oem's using hypereutectic pistons. Less piston rock helps.

The last one I built at home a couple years ago I had the cylinders finished for 1.5 total clearance.
 
I found that the practice is no longer necessary. Engines come from the factory ready to run. Proved it on my new truck, new tractors, new small engines, and 2 replacement BS V twins I bought this year. I hear it because OEM rings come with tin plating nowadays and that is how they get the quick seating. Just like then nasty job of having to tweak your valves....thing of the past........YEAH!
 

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