[rritchey]

Shaps,

I have 2 427 motors, one a SO and one a TO. Both of them are sleeved all 8 holes. I run them hard, race them, street drive them, they don't have any block fill. They were all thin sleeves, and all went in dry (none of the cylinders had to be bored all the way out to the water jacket to install the sleeves). I have no problems with overheating, no problems with water leaking... no problems at all. They both make in the 500+ HP range and both have lots of run time on them. I build and sell 427 and 428 motors, and I kept these blocks and sleeved them like this just to see if what everybody says is true. Both of these blocks were 30 over with significant wear when I sleeved them. I think after having first hand experience with these two, I am not afraid to sleeve any FE in all 8 holes. The sleeves are made of better material than the original block is anyway.

Bottom line is this: Don't be afraid of a block just because it has a sleeve or two. Granted, I have never sold any FE motor with more than 2 sleeves, but that is just because nobody wants them. If any of you guys have a SO block sitting at 30 with rust pits, send it on over - I'll be glad to put it to use!

Now comes the caution: Be sure the machine shop installs the sleeves with a step bore. This means they leave a "lip" in the bottom of the bore to hold the sleeve in place. Also use plenty of the high dollar locktite when it is put in. If they are done correctly, you will not have a problem. Also another tip - if you are having to sleeve a block all the way or maybe you have a slightly worn std. block with 1 or 2 bad cylinders, use BBC 4.250" thin sleeves and build the motor at 4.250" bore (17 over) and this allows another build at 30 down the road. No use wasting the metal if you don't have to.