steel or nickasil

**speedinstream** · 11-24-2010, 09:08 PM

What is the best way to tell a nic sleeve from a steel one is nic magnetic?Crome is easy to tell nice and shinny and not magnetic.Does nic rust at all ?

**Scott in MN** · 11-24-2010, 09:50 PM

Don't think nic rusts, I have never seen it rust. Nic is slightly magnetic but not nearly like steel.

**wrechin2** · 11-25-2010, 12:03 AM

If the head is off it is easy to tell as you can see the sleeve and block mismatch. If Nic, there will be no transions in the ports as it is a plating and you will see some pitting. Plus you would see the ring at the top of the block where there is steel and aluminum. just my .02

**speedinstream** · 11-25-2010, 06:09 AM

I have a bp block with all six holes fixed the sleeves are only half the thickness of a steel sleeve and they have a lip or a flange at the top about 1/4'' thick.All the ports are absolute perfect match with no evidence of blending.They are magnetic but not as strong as a known steel block.Iwould like to know who done the work because it's perfect looks factory.

**wrechin2** · 11-25-2010, 09:36 AM

Post some pics. A sleeve for a bridgeport would be 3/32" thick. You would be able to see a difference in the ports. By this I mean a lip in places and some overhang and you would see the difference in steel and aluminium. In the bottom of the cylinder you would also see a transition and different color as well. Plus when you install a sleeve in a cylinder you have to cut a stop in the bottom for the sleeve to sit on an would see a mark in the bottom where it would be bored to standard bore. If a magnet has a VERY light attraction, it is Nic. Here is a pic of a BP I have here that one day I will get around to sleeving. This is what the port will look like if it is plating. On the 2nd pic is what it will look like if it is a sleeve. See the diffeence of color at the deck.

**speedinstream** · 11-25-2010, 10:00 AM

On my other bp block with two steel sleeves one by ruck they look like your second pic but the block in question has a diffrent type sleeve.You cant see color change at deck because the sleeve has a 1/4'' lip around the top is that what they call a flanged sleeve.To put this in you would have to cut the block down into the water jacket about a 1/4'' the drop the sleve in hard to exlpaine.I can try and get a pic just a little busy on turkey day.Also no marks at rod slots [bottom of cylender] from borring the sleeve.

**wrechin2** · 11-25-2010, 10:27 AM

I install sleeves so I know what you are talking about. Post some pics. I am curious to see what you have.

**TEXAS20225** · 11-25-2010, 05:34 PM

James my Sleeve parts books shows 2 style Bridgeport sleeves one unflanged one flanged one company Advanced sleeve other La sleeve no nic sleeves shown for Bridgeport but im sure you know that you have installed as many sleeves as i have

**speedinstream** · 11-25-2010, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by TEXAS20225

James my Sleeve parts books shows 2 style Bridgeport sleeves one unflanged one flanged one company Advanced sleeve other La sleeve no nic sleeves shown for Bridgeport but im sure you know that you have installed as many sleeves as i have

I am almost pos these are steel but man what a fit definatly the brand to use what ever they are looks factory.Working on pics

**Umassot50** · 11-26-2010, 01:17 PM

on a side not does anyone know if US chrome or millenium can or will bore and plate an aluminum sleeved block with nikasil?

**TEXAS20225** · 11-26-2010, 05:25 PM

James Ruck does all my block work These days its who he uses for Nik and Chrome plating he has made sleeve holders for several motors when the sleeve holder cracks or the rod take out the sleeve and part of the behind the liner porting . He no longer welds them up and rebores them he says his new process is to cut it off right above the ports and welds a new alum tube in its place and bore it to the stock .004 undersize to install a sleeve hot. He redid a 260 for me a few years go that way its still going strong. He may make sleeves for Bridgeports i dont know the Nikasil sleeve is replaceable it can be installed and plated or plated first then installed Pro marine sells nik sleeves already plated