Can you ball hone a Nikasil cylinder?

The Flex-Hone can be used on both steel and Nikasil-plated cylinders on either 4-stroke or 2-stroke engines. (With Nikasil, you just need to take extra precaution. The goal is to remove the glaze and the carbon without damaging the plating. The Flex-Hone and cleaning brush come in difference sizes.

What is the benefit of a coated Nikasil cylinder?

This coating allowed aluminium cylinders and pistons to work directly against each other with low wear and friction. Unlike other methods, including cast iron cylinder liners, Nikasil allowed very large cylinder bores with tight tolerances and thus allowed existing engine designs to be expanded easily.

Can a Nikasil cylinder be bored?

FPMXer. Yes they can be bored out and then replated.

Can you Rebore Nikasil?

You can’t run the piston and rings on the bare aluminum under the Nikasil. It is too soft. You will either need to have it replated or sleeved. The sleeve should be good for at least one oversize.

Can you use BRM engine hones on Nikasil cylinders?

Some mechanics say that you should never use BRM Flex-Hone® tools with Nikasil cylinders. “Never”, however, is incorrect. While it’s true that BRM’s engine hones are not recommended for all Nikasil cylinders, you can use aluminum oxide (AO) Flex-Hone® tools to deglaze some (but not all) non-ported Nikasil cylinders.

Can you use flex Hone on a Nikasil cylinder?

Maybe! If the Nikasil plating is chipped, nicked, cut-through, has worn spots or is showing signs of wear, do not use Flex-Hone® tools. Instead, strip and re-plate the coating, or replace the cylinder altogether. Again, because Nikasil platings are very thin and very hard, honing will expose any existing damage.

What kind of abrasive to use on Nikasil cylinders?

For deglazing Nikasil cylinders, BRM recommends flexible cylinder hones with 240-grit AO abrasive. For cast iron engine cylinders, use silicon carbide (SC) abrasive instead.

Why are Nikasil liners used on engine walls?

Let’s take a look. Nikasil is a nickel-plated silica carbide coating that’s applied to the walls of some engine cylinders. Invented by MAHLE nearly 40 years ago, Nikasil reduces friction and wear, especially in aluminum bores. Nikasil liners improve oil retention, but some engine mechanics avoid this high-performance plating material.