Farm Equipment - Dry fitting cylinder sleeves on a 1939 B

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Dry fitting cylinder sleeves on a 1939 B

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=196289
Printed Date: 15 Sep 2025 at 6:57am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Dry fitting cylinder sleeves on a 1939 B

Posted By: Cowdoc
Subject: Dry fitting cylinder sleeves on a 1939 B
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2023 at 9:26pm

I'm overhauling an older B that was not running well and using oil. Lots of wear in the cylinders. I am getting ready to replace the cylinder sleeves. Dry fitting them, they will easily slide in until the first ridge before the o ring grooves, then they hang up. Are they supposed to slide in easily without the o rings, or is there supposed to be some resistance? I haven't put a lot of pressure on them at this point. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated. thank you

Replies:

Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2023 at 6:07am

They should slide in very easily without O rings and without much force with O rings. A wire brush in a die grinder works good to clean up the inside of the block. If you don't have a die grinder, a drill with an extension and wire brush will work.

Make sure to clean the counterbores well. Even a little dirt or rust will make the sleeve standout too high.

After you install the sleeves, use some regular bolts with washers to stop the sleeves from moving when you turn the engine over to install pistons.

Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2023 at 12:11pm

The bores have to be totally clean of scale and rust. Emery cloth is your friend. It is not quick or easy. When clean you should be able to slip a sleeve in the bore and turn it in circles by hand with no orings. If you cant do that you are not done cleaning....

Posted By: Cowdoc
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2023 at 2:22pm

Thank you, that is what I needed to know. Got a lot to clean up...

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2023 at 4:25pm

Make sure that whatever cleaning method you're using that you're not removing good material. Maybe you can use an emry cloth by hand, but don't put one of those sandpaper wheels on a drill or grinder and go to town. You'd hate to get everything installed and find out your orings are leaking becasue you got too excited.