302 Cylinder Wall Damage

[bubbanugs]

Hi Everyone,

Prepping for a 302 swap into my 94 Ranger Splash. Over the weekend, I cracked open the long block I bought and saw this. Anyone with more experience than me know if this is runnable?

I bought GT40p heads, reusable ARP head bolts, and fel pro head gaskets. My current plan is to torque the new heads down and run a compression test with lubricated cylinder walls. I am okay with burning some oil, but is this a loss? Should I just buy a new short block? Maybe bore this out?

 

[Shran]

Is that a pit that you can catch your fingernail on or just discoloration? That close to the top I would be tempted to just run it if it's not deep or an actual hole. If it's discoloration I'd just run it and not even think about it.

Doesn't look like there is much cross hatch left in the cylinder walls, if any. Guessing that engine has some miles on it for sure. If it runs good, who cares. I am sure a machine shop would want to bore it a bit. Necessary to have a good running engine though? Probably not.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The amount of time the piston rings will be over that spot is negligible. I'd run it.

 

[SenorNoob]

I wouldn't worry about it unless it's deep. I took a layer of built up carbon off all the cylinder walls of my 4.0 that was about that far down with a scotch-brite pad. Granted the 302 is probably different...

 

[19Walt93]

Polish it up a little with some fine sandpaper and wipe it down with an oily rag if it bothers you.
Before I put better heads on it I would pull the pistons, hone the cylinders and replace the rings and bearings.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Before I put better heads on it I would pull the pistons, hone the cylinders and replace the rings and bearings.

+1

You are right there looking at it.

I wish I had done that to mine before I put it in.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Many years back, we would dismantle and run a hone down each cylinder to clean them up and restore the cross hatch.

 

[Shran]

+1

You are right there looking at it.

I wish I had done that to mine before I put it in.

But then you are forced to see all the other problems that need attention... lol

It's a worthwhile can to open but contains worms regardless.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

But then you are forced to see all the other problems that need attention... lol

It's a worthwhile can to open but contains worms regardless.

And that is why I didn't...

 

[tinman_72]

And that is why I didn't...

Ah, but you did. It starts with removing the heads.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ah, but you did. It starts with removing the heads.

After it was in the truck and I noted it was burning oil...