19 replies to this topic

[crazirob]

Has anyone had there block deep frozen?

i am looking at getting it done as it supposedly makes the metal more durable and last longer, so what im thinking is get the block frozen and then it would last longer with regards to durations between rebores etc and on a high revving engine should hopefully make it last longer

any comments on the matter? has anyone had this done ?


Thanks Robbie

[jakejakejake1]

I doubt that freezing a block would do anything for durability- heat treatment of metals is one thing as the extra heat allows the fine crystalline structure of the metal to change, and then rapidly cooling it (quenching) can increase the hardness of steels by controlling how the structure forms near the surface.

But just the cooling on its own wouldn't do anything for the structure of the metal, and therefore wouldn't make the block more durable.

If anyone has an argument for the freezing of metals to increase durability i'll listen, but I am sceptical.

[mini_mad69]

I wouldnt of thought it would be needed. Investing in better quality of components would be my course of action. On high revving engines, it's not the blocks that fail.

[JustSteve]

Has anyone had there block deep frozen?

There's not enough room in our freezer, it's full of fish fingers and bloody waffles. No idea why my mum keeps buying waffles, nobody eats them

[Artful Dodger]

The old formula BMW engine builders only used blocks that had been left outside for a few years. They go rusty. Real rusty. and this cures the metal. Let's it settle:). Used engines are also good, so I think we are all ok, seeing as there are no new engines!!

[mini13]

its all in the martensite (spelling?)

[sledgehammer]

I know some engine blocks used to be buried for a while to normalise them - and remove stresses

this was before machining

[xrocketengineer]

I have heard about it:

http://www.enginebui...treatments.aspx

[Artful Dodger]

I know some engine blocks used to be buried for a while to normalise them - and remove stresses

this was before machining

Burying?? I know for a fact BM had a lot of blocks just laying outside in lines for years at a time, but not of anyone burying them!

[minikidx14]

What about deep fried?

[andy159]

What about deep fried?

would be good for the gears and bearings if the oil penetrated the metal if that is possible

[samsfern]

"Rolls eyes"

[tiger99]

I have heard of this process, which involves much lower temperatures than a freezer, maybe liquid nitrogen, but I can't confirm that it actually works, or does not work. Best to find a company who does it regularly and see what they advise.

[Ethel]

If it is of any use there'll be a proper academic paper on it....

http://www.linde-gas.de/international/web/lg/de/like35lgde.nsf/repositorybyalias/pdf_sub-zero_treatment/$file/Subzero_Treatment_of_Steels_en.pdf

Googling gives the impression there are fair few chancers about who will chuck anything into a tub of liquid nitrogen for a quick buck. I get the impression it's just another heat treatment process: useful on the correct materials (notably the same high carbon steels that are conventionally heat treated), pointless on others.

[Tamworthbay]

I tried it on 2 stroke barrels about 20 years ago when I had access to a minus 70 freezer and shed loads of dry ice. It was on KR1 barrels which were notorious for picking up and seizing. I never had a failure, BUT never tested them back to back with non frozen ones. The idea was to heat the barrel to about 100 C then cool as rapidly as possible without cracking. A lot easier to do on a 250cc bike barrel set than a mini block. There were all sorts of ideas around about for prolonging life of 2 strokes. In reality it was just a matter of good building, high quality oil and a bit of mechanical sympathy. Not heard of it done on 4 strokes and would think getting the engine build spot on would be FAR more likely to avoid failure.

Edit: forgot to say that I did it as was told by a professional mechanic that the factory teams were doing it for race bikes and I was lucky enough to have access to the kit to do it.

Edited by Tamworthbay, 08 December 2012 - 12:01 PM.