Does an aluminium block need decking after a re-sleeve.The block was originally decked but it has new liners.Would the re-sleeving cause some distortion or the new sleeves not be level with the top of the block to need decking.Is there any way to check this without taking it to a machine shop,if so what tools are we looking at.
Thanks Neil.

 

you can check the flatness with a precission straight edge and feeler gage, around .005 would be the max. if you don't have a precission straight edge you may have a hard time checking it. i've used the machined surface of a level before but i checked it with a straight edge so i knew what it was out.

 

Your other options would be a surface plate and prussian blue dye, a CMM, or a laser surface profiler.

Personally, I would think that any time a block is sleeved, the potential for distortion would be great, so checking for deck and bore squareness would be a must-do item.

 

Thanks for your input chaps.A good friend of mine is an engineer,and I could lay my hands on a precision straight edge.As for checking the bores are round,I presume a good pair of verniers would be OK?

 

You may jest, but a set of telescope gauges and a good quality vernier caliper in the hands of the right operator as just as accurate as a bore gauge or inside micrometer. I generally use an inside mic, then check my work with a telescope gauge and mic or caliper (dial caliper, though). My only larger mics are trash - genuine Japanium (less than Mitutoyo), but the inside, gauges, and calipers/smaller mics are all Starrett stuff that I'd rely on.

 

i use a dial bore gauge and double check myself with a telescope gauge and mic on the holes.