Ihave a question for you machinists and engine builders. What is your opinion about o-ringing an engine block when it has the cylinder head removed but the rotating assembly still installed. I have been asked this question and my reply thus far has been to defer to more knowledgable persons. There is a kit that can be purchased for this purpose that consists of a disk that get centered on the cylinder bore, an arm that has a cutting bit on it and a coiled bit of copper or brass wire of some gauge to be used as the o-ring once the groove is cut into the block. The kit is not very expensive and may be the solution to the blown head gasket problem. A stock head gasket can be used or a copper gasket as and option. My concern is that some metal filings will be left in the cylinger bore and score the cylinger wall, piston face, or simply fly about unrestrained and cause damage. The engine is a turbocharged 4 cylinder that is raced in the N.A.S.A. ST-1 class. So it competes with 911's, Corvettes, M3's, etc. The T-R and GN guys most likely have experience with this but I'd rather aske here first. Thanks
Can't the groove be cut in the block while the block is mounted on an engine stand with the engine up side down, letting all the harmful grit falls on the floor? o No:
