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Boring bar cutting inside a cylinder bore

Services

Every part.
In house.

From a single valve grind to a complete engine reconditioning, all machine work and cylinder head repairs are done in our Lonsdale workshop.

Service pages

Find your job.

Six ways we can help, each with what is involved, what we do and answers to common questions.

Engine Explorer

Pick a part. See what we do.

Tap a component on the drawing, or use the buttons, to see the services for that part of the engine.

FIG. 00 / Exploded assemblySchematic, not to scale
Exploded technical drawing of an engine: cylinder head, cylinder block, rods and pistons, and crankshaft
FIG. 01Cylinder headFIG. 02Cylinder blockFIG. 03Rods and pistonsFIG. 04CrankshaftØ BoreStroke
FIG. 0111 services

Cylinder head

The head seals the top of each cylinder and carries the valves and, in overhead cam engines, the camshaft. Most head work is done here in house.

  • Valve grindsRe-cutting valves and seats so each valve seals properly again, restoring compression.
  • Head facing (alloy and cast iron)Machining the gasket face flat so the head gasket can seal.
  • Pressure testing (alloy heads)Pressurising the water passages to find leaks and cracks you cannot see.
  • Crack testing (cast iron)Checking cast iron heads for cracks before any money is spent on machining.
  • Bronze guidesReplacing worn valve guides with bronze guides to keep each valve running true.
  • Welding of corrosionBuilding up corroded areas, typically around water passages, so the head can be saved.
  • StraighteningCorrecting a warped head, common after overheating, before it is faced.
  • Thread repairsRestoring stripped or damaged threads such as spark plug and bolt holes.
  • Line boringBringing the camshaft tunnel back into straight alignment on overhead cam heads.
  • Glass bead blastingCleaning the head back to a bright, even finish ready for assembly.
  • Overhauling to suit LPGSetting up the head so the valves and seats cope with running on LPG.
Quote this Read more about cylinder head reconditioning
FIG. 0209 services

Cylinder block

The block is the foundation of the engine: it holds the cylinders, the crankshaft and everything bolted to them. Every measurement starts here.

  • BoringMachining worn cylinders oversize so they are round and straight again, ready for new pistons.
  • Power honingFinishing the bore walls with the right crosshatch so new rings bed in and seal.
  • Block facingMachining the deck flat so the head gasket clamps and seals evenly.
  • Line boringBringing the main bearing tunnel back into alignment for the crankshaft.
  • Sleeves fittedFitting new cylinder sleeves to save a block with a damaged cylinder.
  • Crack testingChecking the block for cracks before any machining starts.
  • Pressure testingPressurising the water passages to find leaks.
  • Sonic testingMeasuring cylinder wall thickness ultrasonically to confirm a block can be safely bored.
  • Acid cleaningChemically stripping scale, rust and grime from the water jackets and oil galleries.
Quote this Read more about engine block machining
FIG. 0302 services

Rods and pistons

Pistons take the force of combustion and the connecting rods carry it down to the crankshaft. Correct fitting is what keeps them quiet and reliable.

  • Con rod pin fittingFitting the gudgeon pins to the connecting rods with the correct fit.
  • Fitting pistonsFitting new pistons to their rods to suit the freshly machined bores.
Quote this Read more about crankshaft, rod and piston work
FIG. 0402 services

Crankshaft

The crankshaft turns the up and down motion of the pistons into rotation. Its journals need to be smooth, round and the right size.

  • Crankshaft grindingRegrinding worn main and big end journals to a true, smooth finish to suit new bearings.
  • Crack testingChecking the crank for cracks before it is ground and put back into service.
Quote this Read more about crankshaft grinding

Full list

Services, A to Z.

24 machining and repair services, grouped by the part of the engine they apply to.

  • Acid cleaningCylinder block
  • Block facingCylinder block
  • BoringCylinder block
  • Bronze guidesCylinder head
  • Con rod pin fittingRods and pistons
  • Crack testingCrankshaft
  • Crack testingCylinder block
  • Crack testing (cast iron)Cylinder head
  • Crankshaft grindingCrankshaft
  • Fitting pistonsRods and pistons
  • Glass bead blastingCylinder head
  • Head facing (alloy and cast iron)Cylinder head
  • Line boringCylinder block
  • Line boringCylinder head
  • Overhauling to suit LPGCylinder head
  • Power honingCylinder block
  • Pressure testingCylinder block
  • Pressure testing (alloy heads)Cylinder head
  • Sleeves fittedCylinder block
  • Sonic testingCylinder block
  • StraighteningCylinder head
  • Thread repairsCylinder head
  • Valve grindsCylinder head
  • Welding of corrosionCylinder head

Complete engines

Full engine reconditioning, builds and installations.

When an engine needs more than one part attended to, we take care of the whole job. From reconditioning a Holden 308 to fitting one of our Holden 355 Stroker engines, it is all handled here in Lonsdale.

Engine blocks on stands in a workshop with light through the roller doorFIG. 06 / Workshop
01 / Reconditioning

Engine reconditioning

Strip, clean, test, measure and machine, then reassemble to a healthy, reliable engine.

02 / Builds

Engine builds

Engines built to suit, including our Holden 355 Stroker engines. Stroker kits and pistons available through our parts counter.

03 / Installations

Engine installations

Finished engines fitted to the car, like Maurice's VH SLE Commodore and the XB Falcon John Goss Coupe.

Get in touch

Know which part needs work?

Send us the details and a few photos. We will come back to you with honest advice and a quote.

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