My adventures today...

71ChargerRT

71ChargerRT

Well-known member
I went out to the local "parts houses" today looking for a ball hone to clean up the cylinders in my 360.

I hit 3 of the so called stores; first up Autozone no luck, no one knew what I was even talking about, no one cared to even look[smilie=l:

Next stop PepBoys, where I started my career in parts... I worked with a bunch of "old car guys" mainly Chevy because they had to work within their salaries :D but I received lessons in going the extra mile to make sure the customers got what they needed. Yeah, that doesn't happen anymore, I walked up to the parts counter the girl behind said counter gave me a "why are you bothering me?" expression. I ask my question and get cow staring a new gate look, I might as well asked her to explain quantum physics or how she got to work today it was [B]that [/B]bad! I get "huh?" as my first response, so I ask again (fully knowing what the reply will be at this point) the manager strolls up now, so I repeat the question for a third time (once again I realize I'm pissing into the wind) and get the blank stare and "I've never even heard of that". No need to waste anymore of my time :doh:

Third stop, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, reasonable luck this time, helpful people that had somewhat of a clue but DAMN!!! $130 for a hone [smilie=2:

I guess I'll be looking around online to try to find one more reasonably priced...
 
The Auto Value here has about 4 in stock. I can pick one up and send it to you with your thankyou chicken bomb! :D
 
Just blew the dust off a ball hone while doing some cleaning at work. We've never used it but the new youngster we have working there was delighted to see it. So now it's priceless....but I'd sell it to ya for $652,498.10 :shifty: Shipped.
 
beeper*71 said:
Just blew the dust off a ball hone while doing some cleaning at work. We've never used it but the new youngster we have working there was delighted to see it. So now it's priceless....but I'd sell it to ya for $652,498.10 :shifty: Shipped.
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That's a deal at TWICE the price!!!

:bwuhaha::bwuhaha:
 
As I recall, they're not cheap anywhere. Auto Value buys them directly from the manufacturer, and the one you need's probably about $60-$70. There's actually only one company making them anymore, but I can't recall the name at the moment. I'd be surprised if anyone at the store knew what you needed, to be honest. :(
 
Well, he handed me the KD book to see if they had one available, but he did make the attempt at assisting.


Grainger has them available for a little over $50
 
I could be wrong on the price, but I know KD buys them from the company from whom we bought them, and I'm sure the Grainger ones are the same company as well. The box is labeled "Flex Hone" but I'll be dipped if I can remember the name of the company off the top of my head.
 
Flex hones work gooder in the driveway. They conform better to uneven surfaces, and believe it or don't, provide a rounder bore when finished. Unfortunately, they're messy as hell and more expensive than a stone-style hone.
 
When you asked for a "Ball Hone" they probably thought your had walked into the wrong store..."No sir you want the XXX Adult Store three doors down...".....:D
 
Dr.Jass said:
Flex hones work gooder in the driveway. They conform better to uneven surfaces, and believe it or don't, provide a rounder bore when finished. Unfortunately, they're messy as hell and more expensive than a stone-style hone.
Click to expand...

If the sole purpose is to assemble a temporary "driver" motor, just borrow anything you can get your hands on, break the glaze & be done with it. These things are more forgiving than you realize. :huh:
 
the stone ones are more expensive?....really?....shit i got one a LONG time ago....so doc your saying they are better than the ball units?...i always looked at the ball units and was like..how can you keep an even amount of force around the whole cyl...ive used my brake hone for chainsaw engines and such
 
The ball hones are better. The tension in the wires allows them to better knock down high spots since each stone has it's own wire and source of tension meaning it's more consistent. The stone-type have a pivot in the center of each 3"-4" long stone and a single spring to create tension on all 3. Any force against one of the three stones increases force on the other two as well. A high spot on one end of the stone puts more force on the other end, using the pivot as a fulcrum.

If you've got a good, clean block with basically just a glaze (like the 360 in my garage), a 3-stone works just fine. 71's got some rust issues; a "dingleball" hone will work better as well as more quickly.

The big drawback to the ball hone is the mess. While both styles need oil and a goodly amount of it to work properly, the ball hone really, really flings it around. Get gloves, a leather apron, wear clothes you don't like, and do it outside! Putting a large area of plastic sheeting down first is a really good idea as well.
 
I'll have to look when I go into work tomorrow but I believe Auto Zone has cylinder hones on the "Loaner Tools" list. The experience you described reminds me of the local O'Reilleys. Even if I don't know what a part or tool is, that a customer is looking for, I'll at least make an effort to find out if we have it or if we can even get it. One of our policies is, "It takes 2 to say no." meaning that if one person says no, the other person goes looking for it and if he can't find it, then we refer to another shop. Sadly, some parts people don't care about their customers nor do they realize that return customers are their paycheck! I'll look at work tomorrow and see what I can find, with a part # and price should you decide to give AZ another shot.
 
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