True Grit: Flex-Hones and High-Performance Piston Rings

Every day, Brush Research advises customers how to choose the right flexible honing tools. And for many years, we've made grit recommendations as part of that process. Based on our experience, this is usually a pretty straightforward proposition. So how much grit do you really need for automotive applications?

In the case of automotive combustion cylinders, 120 grits works for older cast ring sets, and for cases where the cylinder has been re-bored and is a little rough. For general deglazing, 180 and 240 grits are good choices. They're also good when the cylinder is not going to be bored or honed.

Life in the Fast Lane

Often, 320 grits are used in high-performance applications with chrome molly rings. I sometimes see guys running dragsters who ask for 400 grits, but they are re-honing after every few runs. So, you can imagine my surprise when the phone started ringing off the hook asking for a 4" Ballhone made with Levigated Alumina, a special abrasive for some industrial applications. Brush Research Manufacturing makes the Flex-Hone in 11 abrasive types and 8 grits, but this is the first time that anyone has asked for Levigated Alumina for a big block Chevy.

Easily identifiable by its white abrasive, Levigated Alumina comes in only one type: extra fine (approximately 1000-1200 grits). I gave them my usual spiel about maybe this being a little too fine, but they were adamant. I scratched my head a few times knowing the customer is always right and filed it away for future thought - until the phone kept ringing with more requests.

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