TR2/3/3A TR3 Piston Sleeves

[Jayplum]

The sleeves in my 57 TR3 came out without any effort and the new ones slide in without any effort. Is this normal; seems there should be some resistance and seat well. They do not seem loose from side to side but the insertion was to easy. They do protrude a couple thousands out the top and assume the head would hole them. Am I just looking for problems or do I have one?

 

[TR3driver]

Sounds good to me. They do go in easy if everything is clean.

I would measure the protrusion on both sides, as I've had two engines in a row now where the deck isn't quite level. But I don't see a problem with what you've described.

 

[Jayplum]

Thanks

 

[CJD]

If you’ve read previous liner threads, you realize how lucky you are! There is a gasket at each end, so easy fit is no problem.

 

[Jayplum]

I am to paranoid to feel lucky but time will tell. Thanks.

 

[Jayplum]

Even paranoid people have bad luck.
I’ve put a minimal number of miles on this fully rebuilt engine but had a piston failure.
#4 piston self destructed. The piston collapsed at one point breaking the first two ring groves.
I did a compression test showing 175# on 1,2,3 and 120# on 4. Pulled head off and removed cylinders.
I looked for replacements but found all sources to be back ordered. This sounds like a recall. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[mastaphixa]

Well that's certainly disheartening! Do you remember if you checked the ring end gap during rebuild?

 

[Jayplum]

Yes I remember and no I didn’t.
they came assembled. I suspect the gap may have been off and possibly aligned.

 

[CJD]

Bummer. The most common cause of that would be detonation. Of course a flaw in the piston and mechanical interference are also possibilities. One thing, 175psi sounds rather high to me for a compression test on these engines. It sounds like you have a higher compression ratio than stock, which can be a good thing...unless it promotes detonation.

 

[Jayplum]

Today, normally I would look for detonation issues but I saw no distortion to the surface. It was heavily carboned but nothing else

 

[CJD]

Interesting. I see a crack going down below the second ring too. I would lean towards a flaw in the piston. How does the carbon-free area look? Is it dull or shiny? Shiny may be a sign that there was contact with the head. Also, were the liners new or re-conditioned?

 

[DavidApp]

Is that a hole in the piston almost level with the gudgeon pin hole?

David

 

[Jayplum]

Dull

Interesting. I see a crack going down below the second ring too. I would lean towards a flaw in the piston. How does the carbon-free area look? Is it dull or shiny? Shiny may be a sign that there was contact with the head. Also, were the liners new or re-conditioned?

Appeared to be new.

Is that a hole in the piston almost level with the

Is that a hole in the piston almost level with the gudgeon pin hole?

David

pin hole? It looks like it but i've sent them back to the supplier and have to rely on an old man's memory and the photos. The wrist pin was checked and no excessive movement. Since I looked at the piston and my attention to the piston failure at the power ring and below, I did not take notice of that hole. Good pick up on your part but I feel the uniformity suggest a manufactured hole and not a new one. Since it is well below the rings, if it was a hole it would only assist oiling the cylinder wall??? sorry I over looked this.

David

 

[DavidApp]

Zooming in on that hole it does not look like it was drilled more like the piston wall was knocked out from the inside. Rough surface and a cone shaped hole. Also just below the hole the piston wall looks like there is a casting defect.

David

 

[Jayplum]

I can’t argue your observations and agree with the hole nir being drilled. Seems that would have eaten up the sleeve wall; #4 sleeve would have only needed a light touch with a hone. I wonder what failed first the side where the hole is or above in the r rings, chicken or egg.

 

[Jayplum]

Is that a hole in the piston almost level with the gudgeon pin hole?

David

appears to be just above

 

[sp53]

Sorry to see that Jayblum, I feel your pain; I had a new engine fail. When you guys suggest detonation causing the failure, what do you mean? The engine was pinging and getting a double spark or something like that.

steve

 

[mastaphixa]

Detonation refers to an instantaneous explosion of the fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber rather than a controlled burn. It can seriously damage internal engine parts due to the physical and thermal loads encountered.

 

[sp53]

Well after my engine failure, I very interest in the subject of new engine failure problems. I put some of those split-fire plugs in my car because I found they burn better, but I do remember something about maybe a detonation problem with those type plugs, anyone hear that or am I paranoid.

steve

 

[Jayplum]

Well after my engine failure, I very interest in the subject of new engine failure problems. I put some of those split-fire plugs in my car because I found they burn better, but I do remember something about maybe a detonation problem with those type plugs, anyone hear that or am I paranoid.

steve

Predetonation simply means the timing is to advanced. Proper timing is before top dead center and maximum burn occurs on the down stroke. To advanced try’s to stop the engine into reverse. Hence the trauma to the piston.