Nikasil - To do or not to do?

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Motorhole
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Mon Feb 29, 2016 11:15 am

Okay, so I got the cylinder head off a nikasil lined block this morning.

My original intention was to build my engine into another steel lined block I have stowed away under my bench. However, the bores on this nikasil block look good! So my question is - given the now non-issue of high sulphur petrol and and the various benefits nikasil offers over steel (namely hardness and low friction) is it worth me recycling this block instead?

If so - I've also read nikasil can't be honed for risk of damage to the coating at the edges of the bore - is this so - and if so is a scotchbrite de-glaze the way forward?

On another note, the bloody timing cover is stuck solid. Oil pan and cylinder head are off, all bolts are out - seems to be binding around the water pump housing. Any tips?

Cheers :)
DanThe
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Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:12 pm

I wouldn't even think about it, nikasil pistons are specific I believe, I'm not sure about the rings. Steel liners are the best bet.
Ive got a nikasil 323i engine with only 2,000 miles "apparently" which I laughed at when I bought it, but when I took it apart it actually looked bloody new inside, its on the shelf and will probably never get used

Timing cover comes off with a few accurate hammer taps :D
Motorhole
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Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:14 pm

Thanks mate, as always. Well...I had an offer for £20 for the block if it was no good, from some dude who wants to turn it into a wine rack. He can have it and I'll use the steel lined block as originally planned.

Got the timing cover off eventually but it cracked beneath the water pump housing where it had stuck on - despite being as fastidious as possible. If anyone has a other one, please do let me know!
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