Subject: Re: [Fot] How many times can you line bore a block?

From: Lunker Hilyer <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 15:15:53 -0600

Did any of you receive my oversimplified approach to repair of this not uncommon issue?
Lunker

> On Jul 28, 2026, at 8:25 AM, Chuck Gee <[email-masked]> wrote:
> 
> I could be wrong, but I don’t think line boring affects that dimension.  I understand it to be making the caps a little shorter then reboring to match the upper diameter in the block.  
> 
> Otherwise, a bunch of other dimensions would be goofed up too.
> 
> Chuck Gee
> 
>> On Jul 27, 2026, at 4:56 PM, Philip Gott <[email-masked]> wrote:
>> 
>> Or another way to ask the question is “how much misalignment between the crankshaft and transmission input shaft can be tolerated?”
>> I had a block completely gone through, including line boring and it ran very well until number one cylinder liner suddenly split. The engine hydro locked and broke the crank and front main bearing cap. I have a new cap; to use it requires the block be line bored again. I’m wondering if anyone else has a similar experience and can tell me either that it worked out well, or that I should throw the block away.
>> Thanks as always!
>> Phi
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> _______________________________________________
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>> 
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From: Philip Gott <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 20:35:15 -0400

Lunker ;
I did not….
Regards,
Phil

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 3, 2026, at 5:16 PM, Lunker Hilyer <[email-masked]> wrote:
>

---

From: "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 10:19:37 +0000 (UTC)

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 Thanks, Lunker, and everyone else who responded. =C2=A0Good ideas on short=
ening the chain and using a vernier cam sprocket. =C2=A0I'd be a little ner=
vous about my ability to get the chain permanently back together.
This particular block has been decked as well (requiring special cylinder "=
O-ring' gaskets from Mordy again), and my machine shop says to watch out fo=
r "hidden" damage to the block, as it takes quite a bit of force to break a=
 crankshaft, which is what happened. And then there is the problem of align=
ment with the transmission input shaft. =C2=A0 I'm going to start afresh wi=
th another block and more robust cylinders.

Again, this is a great group. =C2=A0Your collective wisdom is much apprecia=
ted!
Regards,
Phil
    On Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:06:13 PM EDT, Lunker Hilyer <lunkercars=
@icloud.com> wrote:  =20

=20
This cam sprocket from my wall of shame exemplifies how Ford bean-counters =
turned engineering=E2=80=99s well planed creation of the smallblock 400 fro=
m the 351W into the corporate debacle it became.=20
When made =E2=80=9Cright=E2=80=9D they are great engines.

> On Aug 3, 2026, at 7:53=E2=80=AFPM, Lunker Hilyer <[email-masked]>=
 wrote:
>=20
> =EF=BB=BFRegardless of who started the thread, TeriAnne Wakeman would pro=
bably like it for her ever evolving tech-tips and Chuck just on GP.
> Lunker
>=20
>> On Aug 3, 2026, at 7:46=E2=80=AFPM, Lunker Hilyer <[email-masked]=
> wrote:
>>=20
>> =EF=BB=BFHi Phil,
>> Was it you or Chuck who originated this thread?
>> My simple toung-in-cheek reply was that my fix is something Kas never ha=
d to deal with.
>> My fix has been mostly with OHC engines where excessive head grinds (thi=
nning) has resulted in similar but opposite problems but the technologic di=
fference is identical.
>> Easiest fix is to replace hogged out sprockets with fresh/tighter ones.
>> If that doesn=E2=80=99t work, remove one link from the chain, reuse a ho=
gged out crank sprocket and a quality Vernier cam sprocket adjusted as tigh=
t as possible and then stiffen (or double up) the chain tensioner and you a=
re good to go. Sometimes just giving the OEM tensioner a bigger =E2=80=9Cla=
nding pad=E2=80=9D inside the cover is sufficient. YMMV etc. etc.
>> I=E2=80=99ve got plenty of anything you may need except luck - a guy can=
 never have too much of that ya know=E2=80=A6
>> Best,
>> Lunker
>>=20
>>>> On Aug 3, 2026, at 6:35=E2=80=AFPM, Philip Gott <[email-masked]> wro=
te:
>>>=20
>>> =EF=BB=BFLunker ;
>>> I did not=E2=80=A6.
>>> Regards,
>>> Phil
>>>=20
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>=20
>>>>> On Aug 3, 2026, at 5:16=E2=80=AFPM, Lunker Hilyer <lunkercars@icloud.=
com> wrote:
>>>>=20
>>>> =EF=BB=BFDid any of you receive my oversimplified approach to repair o=
f this not uncommon issue?
>>>> Lunker
>>>>=20
>>>>>> On Jul 28, 2026, at 8:25=E2=80=AFAM, Chuck Gee <[email-masked]>=
 wrote:
>>>>>=20
>>>>> =EF=BB=BFI could be wrong, but I don=E2=80=99t think line boring affe=
cts that dimension.=C2=A0 I understand it to be making the caps a little sh=
orter then reboring to match the upper diameter in the block.=C2=A0=20
>>>>>=20
>>>>>=20
>>>>>=20
>>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2026, at 4:56=E2=80=AFPM, Philip Gott <[email-masked]>=
 wrote:
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>> =EF=BB=BFOr another way to ask the question is =E2=80=9Chow much mis=
alignment between the crankshaft and transmission input shaft can be tolera=
ted?=E2=80=9D
>>>>>> I had a block completely gone through, including line boring and it =
ran very well until number one cylinder liner suddenly split. The engine hy=
dro locked and broke the crank and front main bearing cap. I have a new cap=
; to use it requires the block be line bored again. I=E2=80=99m wondering i=
f anyone else has a similar experience and can tell me either that it worke=
d out well, or that I should throw the block away.
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>> Archive: http://autox.team.net/archive http://www.team.net/pipermail=
/fot
>>>>>> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/fot/chasge=
[email-masked]
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>>=20
>>>>>=20
>>>>>=20
>>>>> Archive: http://autox.team.net/archive http://www.team.net/pipermail/=
fot
>>>>> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/fot/lunkerc=
[email-masked]
>>>>>=20
>>>>>=20
>>>=20
 =20
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<html><head></head><body><div class=3D"ydp73332b22yahoo-style-wrap" style=
=3D"font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"><div></div>
        <div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Thanks, Lunker, and everyone=
 else who responded. &nbsp;Good ideas on shortening the chain and using a v=
ernier cam sprocket. &nbsp;I'd be a little nervous about my ability to get =
the chain permanently back together.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"f=
alse"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"lette=
r-spacing: -0.02em;">This particular block has been decked as well (requiri=
ng special cylinder "O-ring' gaskets from Mordy again), and my machine shop=
 says to watch out for "hidden" damage to the block, as it takes quite a bi=
t of force to break a crankshaft, which is what happened. And then there is=
 the problem of alignment with the transmission input shaft. &nbsp; I'm goi=
ng to start afresh with another block and more robust cylinders.</span><br>=
</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing:=
 -0.02em;"><br></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span st=
yle=3D"letter-spacing: -0.02em;">Again, this is a great group. &nbsp;Your c=
ollective wisdom is much appreciated!</span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-set=
dir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.02em;"><br></span></div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.02em;=
">Regards,</span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=
=3D"letter-spacing: -0.02em;"><br></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=
=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.02em;">Phil</span></div><div><=
br></div>
       =20
        </div><div id=3D"yahoo_quoted_6611400769" class=3D"yahoo_quoted"><d=
iv class=3D"yahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"font-family:arial;font-size:16px;">
            <div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, s=
ans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
               =20
                <div class=3D"quoted-text-header">
                        On Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:06:13 PM EDT, Lunke=
r Hilyer &lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:
                    </div>
                </div><div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica=
, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;border-left: 1px solid #cc=
c;padding-left: 8px;margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px" class=3D"inline_reply_quote_co=
ntainer">
                <div><br></div><div><br></div>
                <div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">This cam s=
procket from my wall of shame exemplifies how Ford bean-counters turned eng=
ineering=E2=80=99s well planed creation of the smallblock 400 from the 351W=
 into the corporate debacle it became. <br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">When made=
 =E2=80=9Cright=E2=80=9D they are great engines.<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr">=
<br></div><br><br><br>&gt; On Aug 3, 2026, at 7:53=E2=80=AFPM, Lunker Hilye=
r &lt;<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" href=3D"mailto:lunkercars=
@icloud.com">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>&gt; <br>&gt; =EF=BB=
=BFRegardless of who started the thread, TeriAnne Wakeman would probably li=
ke it for her ever evolving tech-tips and Chuck just on GP.<br>&gt; Lunker<=
br>&gt; <br>&gt;&gt; On Aug 3, 2026, at 7:46=E2=80=AFPM, Lunker Hilyer &lt;=
<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" href=3D"mailto:lunkercars@iclou=
d.com">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt; =EF=BB=
=BFHi Phil,<br>&gt;&gt; Was it you or Chuck who originated this thread?<br>=
&gt;&gt; My simple toung-in-cheek reply was that my fix is something Kas ne=
ver had to deal with.<br>&gt;&gt; My fix has been mostly with OHC engines w=
here excessive head grinds (thinning) has resulted in similar but opposite =
problems but the technologic difference is identical.<br>&gt;&gt; Easiest f=
ix is to replace hogged out sprockets with fresh/tighter ones.<br>&gt;&gt; =
If that doesn=E2=80=99t work, remove one link from the chain, reuse a hogge=
d out crank sprocket and a quality Vernier cam sprocket adjusted as tight a=
s possible and then stiffen (or double up) the chain tensioner and you are =
good to go. Sometimes just giving the OEM tensioner a bigger =E2=80=9Clandi=
ng pad=E2=80=9D inside the cover is sufficient. YMMV etc. etc.<br>&gt;&gt; =
I=E2=80=99ve got plenty of anything you may need except luck - a guy can ne=
ver have too much of that ya know=E2=80=A6<br>&gt;&gt; Best,<br>&gt;&gt; Lu=
nker<br>&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; On Aug 3, 2026, at 6:35=E2=80=AFPM, P=
hilip Gott &lt;<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" href=3D"mailto:vfraci=
[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt=
; =EF=BB=BFLunker ;<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; I did not=E2=80=A6.<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; Reg=
ards,<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; Phil<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt; Sent from my iP=
hone<br>&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; On Aug 3, 2026, at 5:16=E2=80=
=AFPM, Lunker Hilyer &lt;<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" href=
=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>&=
gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; =EF=BB=BFDid any of you receive my ove=
rsimplified approach to repair of this not uncommon issue?<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&=
gt; Lunker<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; On Jul 28, 2026=
, at 8:25=E2=80=AFAM, Chuck Gee &lt;<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]=
m" href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<b=
r>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; =EF=BB=BFI could be wrong, =
but I don=E2=80=99t think line boring affects that dimension.&nbsp; I under=
stand it to be making the caps a little shorter then reboring to match the =
upper diameter in the block.&nbsp; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt=
;&gt;&gt; Otherwise, a bunch of other dimensions would be goofed up too.<br=
>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; Chuck Gee<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt=
;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; On Jul 27, 2026, at 4:56=E2=80=AFPM,=
 Philip Gott &lt;<a ymailto=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" href=3D"mailto:vfra=
[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <=
br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; =EF=BB=BFOr another way to ask the question is =
=E2=80=9Chow much misalignment between the crankshaft and transmission inpu=
t shaft can be tolerated?=E2=80=9D<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; I had a bloc=
k completely gone through, including line boring and it ran very well until=
 number one cylinder liner suddenly split. The engine hydro locked and brok=
e the crank and front main bearing cap. I have a new cap; to use it require=
s the block be line bored again. I=E2=80=99m wondering if anyone else has a=
 similar experience and can tell me either that it worked out well, or that=
 I should throw the block away.<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; Thanks as alway=
s!<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; Phi<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;=
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; =
Sent from my iPhone<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; ___________________________=
____________________<br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <a ymailto=3D"mailto:fot@a=
utox.team.net" href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a><br=
>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href=3D"http://ww=
w.fot-racing.com" target=3D"_blank">http://www.fot-racing.com</a><br>&gt;&g=
t;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <br>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; Donate: <a href=3D"http://w=
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