Yeah if done improperly it's a mess

 

Frankly, you can apply that statement to virtually any engine machining operation. Even something as routine as deck-surfacing… if the Roughness Average is wrong, that can cause poor head gasket retention.

 

In wet decked engines, I am not a fan of liners because the issue that happened to me is the main failure: there's no surface for the headgasket to seal around if the liner starts leaking coolant. Either install a Darton sleeve with a full face or get a new block (for a m156).

 

darton sleeves are what I would go with

 

Nice work. Unfortunate that this was an issue in the first place, but impressive to persevere and be able to sort it out.

With sleeved blocks (assuming quality work and quality parts like from Darton), is the durability / longevity at least on par with factory?

There are M156s out there running strong with 200-300K miles. Curious if a rebuilt engine with a sleeved block could last that long.

 

Doubt we’d ever find out…! Most guys who Darton-sleeve their block is looking for a bigger bore and more displacement, because they’re either racing or looking for big power. Neither setup will live the type of long life you’re referring to… As the owner of a 1230 HP car, I’m prepared for the day that the motor makes a pass and decides to shoot out a random part. 😂

 

As a pure guess, I would say it that it would last as long as any other ductile iron cylinder wall block. But as mentioned before most people who sleeve with them are building monster engines, not commuters.