This is complete and utter BS. I've rebuilt hundreds of engines, gas and diesel, and always used oil on assembly. Every class, vocational and industry, I've ever taken recommended lubing the rings and piston with oil upon assembly. Once the rings are installed on the piston in there right location/spacing and you put the ring compressor on...they are there to stay. Your going to push the piston in from the top, never turning or twisting the piston as you go. So, how on earth would they turn within the bores.

Another thing, someone mentioned the way you should have received your parts after machining...yes, this machine shop should have coated, packaged the parts in plastic...and told you to store them properly, if any length of time was going transpire before assembly. Yes, you storing them where you did...didn't help matters...and in some respects its "not the responsibility" of the machine shop to know the knowledge of the custumer...but, it shows the quality of the machine shop...when they do go the extra mile to cover all bases.

Brian.

 

Thanks for the feedback, Brian. I may have translated the machinist's reasoning for not oiling the bores correctly. I also have read the "How to Power tune Rover V8" book by Des Hammill, and he also recommends only putting light wd-40 or penetrating oil on the bores, pistons, rings, and specifically not engine oil. "Using this method, ring seating is quick and almost guaranteed.". I plan to follow this advice, using WD40.

Honestly this shop has a very good reputation and I respect the work they've done for me. Yes, there were some misses, and it was exhausting trying to relay advice from Turner and the forum back and forth to the shop. Time will tell.

Anyway, time to move on and begin the rebuild!

 

Good to hear your good attitude after having to deal with the situation. Sounds like your ducks are in a row.
......

 

Spoke a little soon. I have "cracks" (or crevices?) on 3 out of 5 of cam bores. This one here (#4) extends all the way to the cylinder bore! I'm hoping it's normal, and that the machine shop did not royally mess things up reinstalling the sleeves or cam bearings.

 

That does look more like a mold crevice created during the block mfg than a crack to me. No affiliation with your machine shop and not any kind of expert on the subject.
......

 

You're probably right. Richard turner will know.

I think I'll wrap up this thread now - whew - and leave you all with one more photo.






I plan to start a new rebuild thread (for real this time) and document myself along the way with videos

 

Looks like a casting mark to me, too. Blew the picture up as much as possible and you can seem to see material between upper and lower area. Is there evidence of this "crack" on the other side of the casting?

Also, just to touch on the WD40 thingy again...went to the WD40 website and nowhere do they mention using their product for engine assembly. Yes, the product offers great rust prohibitors...and could be used to keep things looking new until assembly...but really isn't a lubricant with qualities known for engine break in or assembly.

Just hate to see you get messed up with this approach.

Good luck, with your build.

Brian.