Is Re-honing A Used Engine Worth It? Watch Me Find Out!

After a few comments hassling me about not re-honing a used engine while installing new pistons, well I decided to find out the truth myself. I use different methods along with just leaving the stock 300,000 mile engine bores while installing new pistons and rings, then drive it long enough for break in, then check compressions to find out the differences. I explain towards the end my main reason for doing this video. Hope this learns you something as it did me!

[@3rddiscipl3]

#1 gets the coolest water or antifreeze coolant whatever. & #6 gets the hottest. Like you said. When you grow up at the track you build different. Like opening the jets that spray oil under #6 & 5 with the hope of more oil removing more heat from the back of the block. I'll stop before this becomes a Chevy Ford thing. NEVER STOP LEARNING & stay curious.

[@ReelTightVa]

I'm about to attempt my first piston replacement in an attempt to fix what I believe is piston slap. I can't say how much I appreciate your videos and you sharing your knowledge and experiences. I was researching whether I should hone or not and saw your latest video. Couldn't have dropped at a better time. Love the videos. Thanks man

[@2CabrasLocas]

Love that idea you have on the piston and rod exchange.

[@JToddJeep]

Me too! A great idea for a refresh coupled with fresh valve seats like Dex did.

[@James-yp5dn]

Interesting video Dex 👍👍 I really enjoy how you are doing these projects to learn how doing things differently will effect the end result...we All get to learn from you sharing your work with us 😎 thanks

[@davewilliams7921]

Love Dex and all his content. And he is a little goofy. Keep up the good work.

[@user-kj4mi5st1s]

He"s like all of us, or at least me.

[@victorcastrejon6679]

Thanks for continuing teaching us!!

[@stevenbelton6244]

Heat burns carbon off. That's why #1 and #6 plug look like they do. Awsome videos.

[@justinchandler5436]

YESSS PLEASE SELL THE PISTONS ON YOUR WEBSITE ALREADY PUT TOGETHER SO ITS EASIER FOR US GUYS DOING IT IN OUR DRIVEWAYS TO REPLACE THEM. ID REALLY LIKE TO PICK YOU BRAIN ON REPLACING CAM CRANK AND ROD BEARINGS. I CAN DO THE CRANK AND ROD BEARINGS MYSELF IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT NOT THE CAM. WOULD I GET OIL PRESSURE BACK JUST DOING THE 2 OR DO I ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE CAM BEARINGS. ALSO I DONT HAVE THE MOTIVATION TO WORK ON THIS 95 JEEP CHEROKEE ANYMORE IVE KINDA MOVED ON AND LIKE WORKING ON THE 97 AND NEWER JEEP CHEROKEE AND THE WJs one day I'd like to do a full build on a wj making it a trail rig and a camping rig to take my family out. I enjoy all your content I look forward to watching your videos I've tried to Make sure I've watched all of them shorts included and hit the like button. I feel your going to become big on KZbin. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God bless

[@codybertram6122]

This would be awesome

[@dad3562]

Curious if your oil pump just needs to be replaced? Happened to my TJ at only 112k miles. How’s it going so far?

[@justinchandler5436]

@dad3562 I ended up trading the 95 cherokee for a 2000 jeep grand cherokee 4.0 4x4 running and driving but it's completely stock. The kid I traded it to said he replaced the oil pump and it's still not running right so I think it's going to need cam crank an rod bearings replaced. I've also have a 97 cherokee that I built 10 inch lift 35 boggers winch bumper snorkel all the stuff you'd need to go riding in Florida where I live I put a high flow oil pump on it and it definitely keeps the oil pressure up. I also have a 2004 jeep grand cherokee limited 4.7 HO 4x4 8 inch Clayton off road 4 link suspension lift I love that thing it's more of my daily. I'd say high flow oil pump is the way to go and if that doesn't fix your oil pressure issue then you'll have to go deeper in the motor to the bearings all the bearings.

[@dad3562]

@@justinchandler5436 wow that’s sick! Congratulations that’s dope! You’ve got my life goals Sir!

[@JToddJeep]

Awesome Dex! Always doing the grunt work that helps the guys/girls that are probably working on their Jeeps in the driveways of the world. 👍

[@kentuckybob]

Awesome video I have 2 1999 Cherokee’s my sons grand Cherokee is getting anouther motor put in it his original motor is making the exact same noise I will be looking to do just what you showed in this video. Thanks for all your helpful videos really injoy watching them.

[@bullbutter9699]

Still driving one with over 20k on sandpaper (1500grit) rebuild. have never honed

[@dustinkile7705]

Keep it up. I love this kind of stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@ronnieb7408]

A small amount of oil consumption is normal the first 500 to a 1000 miles. Honing with diesel or transmission fluid instead of oil gives a better finish on the cylinder. Doing a leak down test on the cylinders tells the true story of how well it seated. Opening the throttle while doing the compression test changes the pressures. Good content as a learning experience

[@MoBCommunity]

Getting ready to watch this one. Just wanted to say I love your stuff, buddy. I know you didn't ask for my opinion but I have a suggestion on video releases that may or may not help, it's just something that other youtubers do and you may want to consider it too: Set a release schedule. Like MORR, Fabrats, & Robby Layton do theirs every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. I think Rory does his more at random, though, not for sure. You could do yours on like Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I'm sure a lot of these guys watch some of those guys, too and it would break it up so we aren't all pressed to watch all of these videos on the same day, and people know when your new stuff is coming out and can plan on it. Idk man, food for thought if you see this.

[@JToddJeep]

Great advice! Exactly what I was going to suggest.

[@suhjested5955]

He does. Wednesday and Sunday.

[@rickcooper9434]

If the person that owns that jeep drove an average of 45mph over the 300000 miles at 2500 rpm then that engine would of turned over nearly 16,666,666 times over it's life. Absolutely a testament to the 4.0 engine. Mine is about to hit the 300k mark but I put a new head on it 20k ago. I don't have a clue on the bottom end. I'm thinking that it's the original bottom end. It looked like it was in decent shape when the head was off so I'm hoping that it will go another 100k before it has to be replaced. Solid, solid engine.

[@user-rl3kw7sk2x]

That is way to min six's for me 😂

[@rickcooper9434]

I messed up with my math. That would actually be 960,000,000 revolutions of the engine. Absolutely incredible.

[@autotek7930]

I'm an auto tech for the last 23 years. I would absolutely love to come work in your shop and do stupid stuff right along besides you. Let em hate while you kill em with kindness 😂 some people are just jealous and they can't stand it. You have a ton of stuff that i don't and have had a million more opportunities than i have, but i got nothing but love for ya and your success . I was born in Memphis and grew up in Lepanto Arkansas, small town life is where it's really at, i live in El paso Texas now and cant get enough of being out in the desert all alone digging up gold😂 or looking for it anyway.

[@noberet]

That was awesome! Thank you Dex!

[@bryanstrietelmeier2573]

Appreciate your time and efforts to bring us these videos Mr.Dex.They are very informative.❤💯👍

[@dirtbiketimemachine7167]

Wonder if the lady wanted her old jeep back 🤷‍♂️ just an idea haha probably not with todays fuel prices 😂 good work love the vids. You definitely Saved my ass a few times 👍

[@papatomsthoughts]

I love how you like to experiment with stuff. Yes, labs to tests but not like ou do. Great video

[@mikemontana7436]

Next time you're doing a pan drop, could you show what techniques you use to get the oil pan off a stock cherokee? I have a 3" lift and i can barely wrestle it in and out. There's got to be a better way than cursing and fighting the suspension components.

[@michaelw.5921]

You have to drop the front axle. It’s a pain on a stock XJ.

[@NoName-yr1jv]

Good job 👍

[@jasondunlap9713]

I need some preassembled, pistons and rods! I will keep an eye on your website. That’s a great idea!

[@jeepguy04]

I have a 9& tj 4 cylinder and # 2 piston broke had the Jeep for 2 yrs put 12000 miles on it got it fixed and my mechanic told me it was a reman engine so have no idea how many miles. I’m the engine now lol love ur channel keep them videos coming I watch the whole thing

[@hallwest9650]

Good afternoon everyone!

[@user-kl8jz7tv9s]

Perfect timing!!!! Well, almost, i ordered a dingleberry hone and ordered one too small, so i ordered the right one and rings and rod brearings will be in end of the week. Ive never honed anything either... but glad i got one. 22r had 3 broke compression rings. Im just doing rings and rod bearings for now until i get my shop built so i can do a full restore of that hilux

[@user-ln9cg9cv2c]

selling those pistons would be awesome brother!

[@87fubar]

i used to keep number/date of couple sets of plugs to see if over time if they'd show diff plus good way to see diff heat ranges with diff brands of plugs

[@jeremyhanna3852]

The flash rust actually tightens the bore we do it on purpose to sprint car engines will run bit faster for half race and when tech checks it's they dont find anything unusual

[@ben67jeepster]

I like the idea of you selling new pistons/with rods! I have two engines in the shed that need them. Couldn't bring myself to scrap them 😂

[@NCMATT]

Great video.

[@jesseduke694]

I grew up next to & being very good freinds with a man that had a salvage yard. I used get ford 390's & take them apart & throw new rings in them with no machine work at all & i can tell u engines are very forgiving. The more i have learned the more i look back at the horrific mistakes ive made & yet, those engines still ran impressive!

[@Wreckedekcoupe]

Honeing reduces oil consumption and crank case sealing when rebuilding if the cyclinder walls are glazed over. You will always see the cross hatch, but there will be a smooth glaze reducing ring seal.

[@nickmcminn2137]

Ball hone is fine if the cylinder is round and no low spots. With a ball hone you would never know if it had low spots. You should pick a number of revolutions like 5 to do each cylinder for a more accurate reading of each. Cross hatch is for oil retention and how well the rings seat ....

[@admorris11]

Love the idea of selling pistons/rods fully assembled!! I’d snatch up 6 in a heartbeat if you did that. Thx

[@ecslunch6744]

hey i have a 01 jeep wj runs rought and relays clock and random engiew codes think its the computer dose that sound correct

[@j.finesseflights1403]

Have no fear, FB has a group for ppl like us! It's called Sloppy Mechanics! Matt Happel started the group and KZbin channel!!

[@DanceySteveYNWA]

People still use Facebook?

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

If all you need is to get a few more years out of a rig, a simple piston swap is just fine. Nice video!

[@Wreckedekcoupe]

Hone break in involves with equal rpm accel and decell. Accel will work one side of the cylinder wall and decell will the other half of the cylinder.

[@Dmowery5036]

Good information there. I have a question..... will you ever do any work on the 4.7?

[@prevost8686]

When I first opened my shop 23 years ago I had people come in who were so cheap that they wanted me to do ridiculous patch- work. I got rid of them because they are the first ones to call you crook when patch work doesn’t hold up. You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken 💩.

[@jamesdodson9417]

Can you do a test with different hole injectors to see if it cleans that carbon side of the port in that head? Thanks for your hard work . Oh yeah have you used a carbide scraper to clean the head surface, game changer.

[@ronnieb7408]

My time is much more valuable than to try and make a cheap customer happy. Its not worth the time to have to do it over on a comeback. Not saying that re-ring on my own stuff doesn't happen ,but for customers that don't have the money to do it right I won't touch it if they want it done cheap

[@Yoyo81828]

Where did you get your spill proof funnel? The one from harbor freight doesn't want to seal on the radiator neck

[@dad3562]

What’s your favorite oil for the jeep 4.0’s?

[@user-eh5ko1rm7g]

You got any tricks for bypassing the skim module on a wj

[@jerrywhalen2100]

How do you make sure there's no grit and metal i the bottom end how do you clean that stuff out can't just be brake clean

[@nsseb-fr1ez]

What’s your opinion on Edelbrock’s head

[@brucedale4465]

What was the last year for the online 4.0. ? Heard pentastars are junk!

[@Wreckedekcoupe]

Honeing makes the rings seal to create correct compression, correct crank case seal. I have rebuild 5 engines in the gravel parking lot of my previous apartment complex that i hone myself with a cordless drill. They still all run to this day with no oil consumption and 3 are performace engines. People often overthink these simple things and think they cant do it. Just try things people!, ya might learn a thing or two and save some money. Great video DEX!!!

[@XxggxX8]

You should build a Jeep liberty and send it 🗽 Plz easy to lift and a lot of fun

[@zacharydecker4344]

Id buy pistons and rods

[@halfcenturytruck]

in hindsight, using the stones on the front cylinder would have made that easier ;-)

[@halfcenturytruck]

Also, don't ignore that piston slap, no matter what the forum geeks tell you. Never mind how I know

[@jeremyhanna3852]

So sell the pistons and Rods with a core return for old rods that customer ships back or they eat there deposit

[@rheidtech]

You hone and crosshatch to straighten and give the new rings something to wear together with and seal to. Compressions should get better after mileage. But 148 in a nonhoned? Cmon. Lol.

[@3XLGarage]

FYI, you do not gap iridium plugs. You can damage the electrodes. They come pre gapped.

[@danieljohnson8437]

Backyard Ball Hone. Of courses...

[@captainjasonstephens2739]

She's never told you that!!!!

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻🇦🇺

[@caseyb65]

I should call her

[@eddiereichel9354]

Autolite spark plugs are terrible. Some engines even with brand new autolite won't run right. Personally I only use OEM or maybe ngk.

[@chadsanders3506]

Get a carbide hand scraper

[@user-md4uw4or4x]

You can come fix’s mine

[@NCMATT]

390 like.

[@0111025]

They should have called them cheaps instead of jeeps

[@brysonshires9742]

Please sell me 6 Pistons and rods pre assembled

[@jakehanneman6956]

Most professionals let actual professionals do it..i.e. to machine shop to get checked, honed and maybe decked, and machine shops use stone style hones. Stone hones are the best as long as its a nice straight bore, but yes, you're right for backyard shit dingle ball hones are just fine. Not everything has to be a resto

[@jakehanneman6956]

Yessir that's called glazing.

[@monette44]