Torque Plate Honing

It is essential when rebuilding an engine to hone the cylinder bore. This is the process of smoothing out any markings and damage that prevents the cylinder, rings, and cylinder bore from sealing correctly.

Torque plate honing is a critical machining process used to improve the performance and durability of an engine. This technique is used to hone the cylinders of an engine block while simulating the stress that the block will undergo when it is assembled and tightened to the cylinder head.

This process ensures that the cylinder walls are perfectly round and straight, which results in improved piston ring sealing, reduced oil consumption, and increased horsepower. In simple terms, a torque plate is a thick, sturdy metal plate that bolts to the engine block like the cylinder head. This plate is installed on the block during the honing process and is torqued to the exact specification of the cylinder head. By doing this, the torque plate simulates the forces and stresses the block will experience when the engine is assembled and running.

The honing process involves using a specialized honing machine to remove material from the cylinder walls precisely. During this process, the honing tool removes a small amount of material from the surface of the cylinder wall while also imparting a crosshatch pattern. The crosshatch pattern improves the lubrication of the cylinder walls and piston rings, which results in less friction and less heat generation. This reduction in friction and heat leads to increased engine efficiency and power.

Without a torque plate during honing, the cylinder walls can become distorted due to the forces generated during assembly and running. This distortion can cause the piston rings to fail prematurely, resulting in oil consumption and loss of power. By using a torque plate, the honing process ensures that the cylinder walls are honed to their final dimensions while under the same stress conditions, they will experience when the engine is assembled and running.

Torque plate honing is typically performed on high-performance or racing engines, requiring the utmost precision and performance. However, this technique can also be used on everyday engines to improve their performance and longevity. The cost of torque plate honing can vary depending on the engine block, but it is a small price to pay for its significant benefits.

Torque plate honing is a critical machining process that can significantly improve the performance and durability of an engine. In using a torque plate during honing, the cylinder walls are honed to their final dimensions while under the same stress conditions, they will experience when the engine is assembled and running. This results in improved piston ring sealing, reduced oil consumption, and increased horsepower. If you want to improve your engine’s performance, consider having it torque plate honed by a professional engine builder.