GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Honing Procedure

    Important: Boring of the cylinder is not permitted. Piston and piston ring service sets are available in 0.25 mm oversize. It is recommended to hone the cylinder to achieve the correct fit for the oversize piston.

  1. When honing the cylinders, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for equipment use, cleaning, and lubrication. Use only clean, sharp stones of the correct grade for the amount of material you remove. Dull, dirty stones cut unevenly and generate above acceptable heat. Do not hone to final clearance with a coarse or medium-grade stone. Leave sufficient metal so that all stone marks may be removed with fine-grade stones. Perform final honing with a fine-grade stone, honing the cylinder to the correct clearance.
  2. During the honing operation, thoroughly clean the cylinder bore. Repeatedly inspect the cylinder bore for fit with the selected piston.
  3. All measurements of the piston or the cylinder bore should be made with the components at normal room temperature.

  4. When honing a cylinder for fit to an oversize piston, first perform the preliminary honing with a 100-grit stone.
  5. Perform final cylinder honing with a 240-grit stone and obtain a 45 degree cross hatch pattern.
  6. Repeatedly check the measurement at the top, the middle, and the bottom of the bore.

    A 240-grit stone is preferred for final honing. If a 240-grit stone is not available, a 220-grit stone may be used as a substitute.

  7. The finish marks should be clean but not sharp. The finish marks should also be free from embedded particles and torn or folded metal.
  8. By measuring the selected piston at the sizing point and by adding the average of the clearance specification, you can determine the final cylinder honing dimension required.
  9. After final honing and before the piston is checked for fit, clean the cylinder bores with hot water and detergent. Scrub the bores with a stiff bristle brush and rinse the bores thoroughly with hot water. Do not allow any abrasive material to remain in the cylinder bores. This abrasive material may cause premature wear of the new piston rings and the cylinder bores. Abrasive material will also contaminate the engine oil and may cause premature wear of the bearings. After washing the cylinder bore, dry the bore with a clean rag.
  10. Perform final measurements of the piston and the cylinder bore.
  11. Permanently mark the top of the piston for the specific cylinder to which it has been fitted.
  12. Apply clean engine oil to each cylinder bore in order to prevent rusting.

De-glazing Procedure

Using a ball type or self centring honing tool, de-glaze the cylinder bore lightly. De-glazing should be done only to remove any deposits that may have formed. Use a 240-grit stone of silicone carbide, or equivalent material, when preforming the de-glazing procedure.

A 240-grit stone is preferred for final honing. If a 240-grit stone is not available, a 220-grit stone may be used as a substitute.