Date:         Tue, 7 May 2002 21:34:00 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: Chrome Barrels - Iron Rings
In-Reply-To:  <B8FCC51A.AD2D%mcalvin@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>The chrome
>  > crosshatching will hold oil and help in lubrication of the rings after
>>  breakin. The chrome plated cylinders stand up to wear extremely well,
>>  much better than steel.
>  >
>>  My question is, "has this been done with the small automotive engines
>>  that use replaceble cylinders? Would it be a practical thing to do? Why
>>  do it? Why not?
>>
>
>Because it is expensive. Aviation engines cost alot more, like $20,000+ for
>a rebuilt, and thats for your basic aircooled flat four. Part of that is
>because of liability issues but not all of it.

Kawasaki in the 80s used what it called Electrofusion in its
motocrosser bores; run a chromium wire 9into the aluminum bore and
run a huge current through it, vaporizing the wire, which then plated
the bore nicely. May still use this process. It IS reconditionable, I
believe.

More recently BMW was using a similar idea, Nikasil, for aluminum
bores on its bikes.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut