Cylinder sleeve for Hercules?

[KeithW]

Hello all,

It's about time to sleeve the cylinder of my 1 3/4 XK Hercules. I assume that oversize pistons are not readily available (correct me if I'm wrong!) so I planned to clean up the piston and sleeve the cylinder to match. Where is a good place to purchase a sleeve? Did a google search and about all I found out is that India seems to make all the sleeves.

Thanks,
keithw

[John Schwiebert]

O. K. what is the finished bore and length of the sleeve you need. Second question, What is the compression height of your current piston and the pin diameter?

[KeithW]

The finished bore ID will be just under 3 1/4 inch and the length is 10 1/2 inches. The piston sits 1 inch down in the bore at TDC and the wrist pin is 5/8 inch as I recall (it's together right now).

keithw

[Richard Fisher]

I buy all of my cylinder sleeves through a local automotive parts store. Not a big national auto parts dealer. The big dealer can get the sleeves, but most of them have no idea what you are talking about. Any automotive machine shop can order the sleeve that you need.
I have sleeved many flywheel engines for myself and engine friends.
Most sleeves cost around $50.00.
Dick in Mooresville Ind.

[KeithW]

Thanks for the information. Turns out new pistons are available for the Hercules. I've got a raw casting on the way and the cylinder is being bored just enough to clean it up.

The Ajax may be a different story. Once I get it apart and cleaned up I'll have to go through the decision process again.

keithw

[jhainline]

I just found this place on the internet. Sounds like they can make about any sleeve up to 8" diameter. L.A. Sleeve Co. http://lasleeve.com/master.html Don't know anything about them.
Jim

[KeithW]

After long last I am finishing up the piston for the Hercules. It turned out to be .013" oversize. The piston is all machined except for the ring grooves. One thing I need to find out. What is the side clearance between the ring and the groove? I think it's about .001" to .002" but I figured I'd better check to make sure. Soon the mighty Herc will be running again and hopefully not pouring smoke out around the piston. Once I get the machining finished I'll post a picture of the old and new piston.

keithw

[KeithW]

Hello all,

I rooted through old posts and found what I needed. Here is a picture of the new piston and the old one. Being the first one I've done I'm pretty happy with it. Not perfect but prett good .

keithw

[KeithW]

Must have done something right . It went back together and actually ran . Filled the carb up a couple of times and ran it for aout half an hour. Even with the rings not broken in it has a lot less blowing by the piston than before. Need to belt an alternator or something to it for a load. It just isn't happy running unloaded.

keithw

[Gasengn]

Belt up to a 12 volt alternator and make a line with three 12 volt 100 watt bulbs in parallel. Start with the bulbs unscrewed. Screw in one at a time. When you screw in the 3rd one, your engine will have a REAL load.