How much movement of the bore happens when a torque plate is used?

[Blakcharger440]

I had spoken to a couple of engine machine shops here in town and one machinist told me that he would not even recommend using a torque plate as almost no movement of the bore actually occurs when it is done anyway or at least not enough to make a huge difference on whether the cylinder was bored with a torque plate or without.

I am looking for a local place to take my block for my 440/512 buildup.

[1969chargerrtse]

I had spoken to a couple of engine machine shops here in town and one machinist told me that he would not even recommend using a torque plate as almost no movement of the bore actually occurs when it is done anyway or at least not enough to make a huge difference on whether the cylinder was bored with a torque plate or without.

I am looking for a local place to take my block for my 440/512 buildup.

All I know is the guy that rebuilt my engine has been doing this all his life and did it that way on my 440.  He explained it in detail and It made sense to me.  Basically he bored the motor walls to a shape that was under the same stress as when the head is bolted on.

[chargerbr549]

You don't have to use a torque plate since the factory didn't use one but its one area that you can improve on cylinder sealing, longer ring life and quicker break in, every block will be probably be different but on several 440's we checked using the torque plate the bore distorted out of round between .003-.004" after the torque plate was removed from the freshly honed cylinder. If you have access to one I would definately use it.

Kevin

[firefighter3931]

Attention to detail during the machining process seperates the average engines from the excellent ones. If the shop won't use a torque plate for the boring and finish honing then i would find another shop. 


Ron

[Musicman]

I'll second that one Ron 

[Rob R]

A fair bit of movement can be seen with your own eyes especially around the head bolt area where it's very pronounced...see it every time with the first stroke  of the hone...who ever says a tq plate is not needed has never honed a block...

[aifilaw]

Attention to detail during the machining process seperates the average engines from the excellent ones. If the shop won't use a torque plate for the boring and finish honing then i would find another shop. 


Ron

[Ghoste]

Just one look at the restrictions to race in stock eliminator should answer that one.  The fact that those cars can run so quickly and do it exactly the way they were "supposed" to come from the factory is all the evidence to support what Ron said.  That's the difference between engine rebuilding and engine blueprinting.

[superduperbee]

Attention to detail during the machining process seperates the average engines from the excellent ones. If the shop won't use a torque plate for the boring and finish honing then i would find another shop. 


Ron

I totally agree, find another shop. Block preparation is critical to long engine life. it does no good to throw state of the art parts into an egg shaped cylinder.

[Blakcharger440]

Yep thats what I thought also. I was already looking for another shop by the 4th reply. Done and Done!