Hydraulic ram for IC engine cylinder

[Mick BaileyParticipant @mickbailey28509]

I have some 1 5/8″ diameter steel that’s cut from scrap hydraulic rams. I’ve been using pieces for many years instead of M/S and it machines nicely. Would this be suitable for an IC engine cylinder? I need a finished OD of 1.5″ and this would do just nicely.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Mick,

I don’t see why not, it is quality steel, resistant to bending, whether or not that is important to your planned use I don’t know.

Others may have different views.

Regards  Brian

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It is something I have thought of using and have seen others use it but not found a source for short lenghts. With it’s already honed bore it should work well.

It would be idea for a single Viton ring which are less hastle than making iron rings. Just 5% of cross section compression of the ring.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I think hes talking about the rams not the cyls

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

It will be good steel and hard chromed, though of little matter if only being used as stock – I take it you are referring to piston rod ? Good Luck Noel.

[noel shelley]

On noel shelley Said:

It will be good steel and hard chromed, though of little matter if only being used as stock – I take it you are referring to piston rod ? Good Luck Noel.

The hard chrome can be a bit challenging to cut through if using a small lathe. You can salvage good quantities of similar material from used Macpherson struts(Vauxhall Omegas provide about 500mm of 22mm diameter rod) and smaller diameters from the ubiquitous gas springs.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I find that when machining hyd ram rods its easier to feed along the work with a deepish cut this peels the chrome off easily

[Mick BaileyParticipant @mickbailey28509]

The chrome comes right off without any problem. I wondered about the wear characteristics when machined as a cylinder for a slow revving engine. I’m thinking of using a cast iron piston.

The honed hydraulic tube Jasonb refers to only seems to come in 6m lengths. It would be a nice source of material to get hold of different sized offcuts as the wall thickness can be quite hefty.

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Piston of CI probably best choice of material and should be fine, lapped to a good fit you might get away without using rings for a display engine. I’d expect wear to be virtually negligible once it’s all settled down.

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