Looks like my suspicions about not damaging the cylinder walls with too much grit was correct with the aluminum/nikasil treatment from the factory . Where might I find this elusive "red" Scotchbrite ???....any links to this specific product ?. I do have a three stone hone tool, and could adapt the Scotchbrite to it.
This Motor had almost exactly 60,000 Amsoil miles on it when the hit and run guy dropped me on the freeway. The walls still look pristine with next to no meat missing on the walls above and below the ring surface.
I cannot thank you all enough for the technical insight, and personal experience related on this topic.
Is this the pad I'm looking for ?..... This is a 7447 Red, they also have an Ultra Fine 7448 Grade 6
28 Nov15: Did some extensive reading on the Nikasil / Aluminum combo. The fact that the layer is super thin, and super hard makes honing a non-necessity. It also makes the original texture, and durability of the plating very sustainable. If the Nikasil has been damaged, or the cylinder needs resizing then replating is in order. Millennium seems to be the go-to shop there in Wisconsin, I put a call in for some feedback. In the meantime, just about everything I find leans towards a good scrubbing with a mild Scotch brite pad "without" removing "any" material as was stated above. Anything in the equivalent to a steel wool abrasive rating of 00 to 0000 is best. When it comes to the flex hone approach, it is recommended a grit of 240, or "finer" (320-500-600+) is better if honing is warranted (and this is only recommended on "high" mileage cylinder walls). Like it was stated above, no material needs to be removed. Post-clean up includes plenty of clean towels, and WD 40 to remove oil, grit, and contaminants until the towels come out clean. The texture and original crosshatch, unless damaged, should be preserved. Ring material here is the weaker material. What a reversal in design by my old standards.....A.
