Bridgeport information on rebuilding

[Valero2.5]

i have my powerhead in the shop at this moment, and they said i have two cracked bridges, so i am assuming just the coating is cracked or mechanic would have said they need re sleeve ASAP. Now since i am thinking you cannot hone nikasil and re ring, these would then need to be re sleeved? Steel ones, and if so, does someone make a sleeve exactly for Bridgeports, or does my motor become something else if 6 new jugs put in? any info on who carries sleeves, what pistons are good etc. would be appreciated. I have a 2.4 EFI I am NOT racing this, and want to do most cost effective for now, and get a small 15- 20 hour season out of the motor, before complete tear down.

JIM

[pyro]

The bridges are always at risk of cracking, since it's a one-piece casting, and the exhaust bridge gets much hotter than the surrounding water-cooled metal. Expansion and contraction takes its toll.

You'll need to send the bare block to a specialty machine shop like Ruck's. Yes, they make steel sleeves that are ported to fit the Bridgeport specifically.

You're flirting with disaster if you think you can just put a set of rings in it and run it "gently" with cracked bridges.

[black junk racing]

Do it right the first time and be done with it

[GamblerSS]

I'm not sure if Ruck is still doing this, but you can have him weld the cracked bridges and get the block replated. It allows you to avoid the sleeve route and stay with all nikasil plating. The bridges will be cracked all the way through the bridge, not just the plating. If they havent already been addressed, the pistons need the cooling mod over the bridge to prevent it from happening again.

[Valero2.5]

Thanks, so the ports are exactly the same, as original Bridgeport Nikasil sleeves? can you give me an idea, how much sleeves run, pistons, etc. for all 6 and is pressing sleeves in very labor intensive? All the comments on here, aim towards doing it right now. Do they recommend runnning steel sleeves be kept to a lower RPM? i heard guys saying they were running 7,500 RPM's all day, but maybe not with steel?
JIM

[capteliminator]

Last block I had done by ruck was about $1000 to replate it. Welding would be a little more. I agree, do it right or your just wasting time.

[Valero2.5]

replace meaning re sleeve all 6? sorry, very new to this? jim

[Dave Strong]

I think you need to send your block to Ruck and have him look at it. That is going to be the only way for sure to knowwhat needs to be done. You could try calling but think he will want to see it to give an aaccurate estimate.

Dave

[pyro]

It's a little over two hours' drive away... Maybe you could make an appointment to inspect the block and get you a quote while you're there with it. .

[1BadAction]

replace meaning re sleeve all 6? sorry, very new to this? jim

Bridgeports don't have sleeves like 2.5s. The broken holes must be fixed, and all six holes must be stripped and replated if you want a motor without steel sleeves.

[Go Time]

I'm pretty sure Jim Ruck has retired and turned the business to another guy. You have two choices 1- repair the bores (cracks) and have the block replated at US Chrome...and 1000$ is a good low end estimate 2- sleeve the affect bores with a steel sleeve. Cheaper buy 1/2 but the engine performance (RPM potential will be less) could be affected.

[Capt.Insane-o]

225 pm > 2.4 bp. I'd part the thing out and go with a motor that you wouldn't have to touch for hundreds of hours.

[Valero2.5]

well all good info for me to ck out! much appreciated all.
JIM

[pyro]

In other words, if you were considering boring and sleeving all six holes, that would cost a fortune, and it still won't make as much power as a ProMax.

[Dave Strong]

Bridgeports don't have sleeves like 2.5s. The broken holes must be fixed, and all six holes must be stripped and replated if you want a motor without steel sleeves.

You get something in the mail yet???

Should be there any day.

Dave