Glaze busting a cylinder

[Smithy]

Hi Everyone

Since getting the Mighty Enfield back I have been investigating its bad running and have found a broken oil control ring which I must have broken when I re-fitted the barrel after replacing the timing side main bearing. Obviously I am fitting new rings but my question is about glaze busting the cylinder.

In the old days we used scotchbrite or similar to take the shine off the barrel but now I see that a drill-driven hone is the recommended method. Any thoughts on this matter gents? I would be grateful of your insights as to what is the best way to do this.

Many thanks.

Ian

[themoudie]

Morning Ian,

Green scouring pad, with paraffin for me, or else a wee trip to an engineer. If using a hone, I think keeping everything square/vertical is important and you cannot do that freehand with a hone wheel in the B&D?

You are just trying to take the polish off the bore and create a cross-hatch pattern, giving the oil somewhere to sit to help lubricate the bore/rings/piston surfaces.

My regards, Bill

[Smithy]

Thanks Bill I appreciate the advice.

Ian

[themoudie]

Aye Ian,

Forgot to emphasise that once the glaze is busted, rinse the whole barrel in clean paraffin, then brake cleaner, followed by a thorough scrub in water as hot as you can bare, with plenty of washing up liquid and then a rinse under the cold tap. A dishwasher is easier, but if you have a partner, this might cause ructions!    This is the only way to be sure that all abrasive particles have been removed from the bore. Once rinsed, dry it all off and then afore the flash iron oxide develops on the surface give the bore a coat of engine oil, well rubbed in and stored in a plastic bag. It should then stay rust and grit free until you wish to put it all together.

My regards, Bill

[Smithy]

Once again I thank you Bill, this is invaluable advice. I would not have thought of being so scrupulous with my cleaning post de-glazing.

I do have a partner and a dishwasher and fortunately she has a 'robust' attitude to cleanliness so using the dishwasher won't be a problem!

Ian

[themoudie]

Aye Ian,

Sounds good to me! 

My regards, Bill

[iansoady]

I agree you need to clean it up but I wouldn't have thought a green scouring pad would leave any substantial wearing material behind. Yes, the full monte if it's been honed or emery used as that will leave carborundum particles.

[johnr]

i use a hone in a drill, trick is to keep it moving up and down to get the cross hatching on the barrel, scotchbrite is ok for wiping rust off or cleaning pans, but its not got big enough teeth for this job, get the proper tool.

[themoudie]

Aye to All, seems as though I don't give it enough wellie!    Me being cautious.

So what carborundum grit would you use? Along with the paraffin.

My regards, Bill