Torque plate when machining open-deck blocks?

[vinu_neuro]

Is it necessary? I've been reading both ways.

 

[Eddie]

Recomended for sure for open deck and some good shops use a torque plate for closed decks too. . Where did you get the recomendation that it is not needed?

 

[vinu_neuro]

Did you mean it the other way..required for closed-deck, recommended for open-deck.

 Originally Posted By: Eddie

Recomended for sure for open deck and some good shops use a torque plate for closed decks too. . Where did you get the recomendation that it is not needed?

 

[mechtech2]

It should always be better with the plate for stability and preload. But much depends on the speed and heat of the machining.

 

[punisher]

Depends on the block. Open decks with non siamesed cylinders need a torque plate to stabilize the cylinders during boring/honing. With siamesed cylinders+open deck you can get away without a plate, I wouldn't, but you can. Regular closed deck blocks always need a torque plate. IMHO any aluminum block needs to be finished with torque plates as well as every loaded fastener that goes into the block present and torqued to spec.

 

[oilboy123]

My understanding is it's better in general to use one. Less distortion of the cylinders.

 

[bdcardinal]

i have seen shops that specialize in ford mod motors not only use torque plates, but bolt up a drone oil pump (driven off the crank) to simulate the torque stress of that as well. the shop did that with one i had machined along with using ARP head and main studs and new side bolts for the mains.

 

[Dualie]

These days I wouldn't even pay a machine shop that didn't use a torque plate. Theres VERY little reason not to use one on most modern motors