[DeTomaso] To sleeve or not to sleeve

[Charles Engles]

Dear Dan,

             I just had one of my blocks sleeved in one damaged cylinder.

             The block was sleeved by my machinist of over twenty years.
Years ago, I asked him, why couldn't he completely sleeve all eight
cylinders and attain stock bore?  He replied that could be done,  the
machining process needed for eight sleeves would remove significant metal
from important locations.   That would result in a *weaker* block.

             As I have been told, sleeving is best done to one or two
cylinders.  If the block is numbers matching or otherwise important to
maintain with the vehicle then more than two can be done with the
understanding it does not reproduce the strength integrity of a stock block.

             Now, after saying that, I would point to Tom Upton, a serious
vintage Pantera racer and engine guy, who runs a completely sleeved
Cleveland block in his street Pantera.   So, it *can* be done.

                       Warmest regards, Chuck Engles

-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of Dan
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2022 6:14 PM
To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] To sleeve or not to sleeve

I'm having handful of 351C blocks sonic tested.

One is the Boss 351 that Dennis Quella built for "The Winged Warrior" in the
early '80's.

I'm wondering if it would be advisable to sleeve all 8 cylinders to bring it
back to original bore.

Another option is to sleeve just one or two holes and go with .030.

 

A 3rd option is to sleeve two cylinders on an original bore 2 bolt block.

 

Over the years I've received advice regarding sleeves from sleeving all 8
holes makes for a stronger block to sleeving a Cleveland can interfere with
the water jackets.

 

Does anyone have an opinion on sleeving a 351C?

 

Dan

 

 

 

Dan Courtney

La Jolla, CA

 

Dan at excaliburre.com <mailto:Dan at excaliburre.com>