sleaving a 401, pro's and cons.

[sandmanb]

it looks like i'm geting ready to have my 401 built. the mechine shop says it needs one sleave. should i get it sleaved or just build my other motor? what are the pro's and cons?

[Zac]

What other motor?

[Lindel]

If you get one cylinder sleeved, you might as well get all sleeved, just so that the wear remains constant between the cylinders. There's nothing wrong with sleeving the cylinders of an engine, it's common practice with commercial diesels that are used on big rigs, and also on mega-hp top fuel dragsters making over 6000 hp.

It'll also let you start fresh, with a "true" 401, and give you the added advantage of boring it out more than stock would allow.

[gsmikie]

in most cases the sleeve is stronger than the orig cyl

[243]

I priced sleeving my 401 as a worst case scenario...approximately 50.00 a pop.

[sandmanb]

zac, i have one more 401 that is complete and runing in a 78 cherokee chief parts rig. i'm trying to keep it in case i decide to build a trail rig. all i know about that one is that it sounds real good but leaks just about everywere an engine can. the one i am building for my wag is already tore down and i realy dont want to tear the other one down unless i realy have to.

[Retro93]

sandmanb,

Have all the cylinders sleeved. You will be happy with the results. smile.gif

[Sundowner]

my shop wanted $250/per cyl for re-sleeving a 401. ouchie

[Lindel]

Sounds to me like it's time to look for another shop, if they want that much.

One more advantage to sleeving an engine, is that if you REALLY trash a cylinder, you can pull the sleeve, and replace with another, can't do that on a stock block.

[sandmanb]

retro 93,i realy dont have the extra cash to sleeve them all. this being the case should i build the other engine? i'm realy pushing it just to get the engine built. i also need any extra cash i can come up with to get my axles regeared for my four inch lift and 32/11.50 tire swap.

[Mikel2]

$250 a piece! :eek: :confused:

I would try calling other places...

[irbob]

If you don't have the money then you don't have the money. There is nothing wrong with sleeving only one cylinder. Only thing is that as stated above....all the pro's of doing all of them. Your not building a top fuel engine are you???? :D Sounds like you have to make a decision bro jeeper. smile.gif

[netbear]

I would just do the one sleeve for the cyl that needs it. You will never know it's there once
you are done. It is a better than new repair and
since the other cyl don't need it, why spend the
extra money? These are not 10,000 rpm race engines
so it pays to keep things in perspective. Sleeves
work great when they are needed and are installed
by a good shop.