Anyone put more than 10,000 miles on AA cylinders?

[Dan Epperly]

So, out of curiosity, I know a lot of people use them, I'm talking the cast iron barrels, but I wonder if anyone has put more than 10k trouble free miles on a set of 86mm barrels.

[Glen Getchell]

AA cast Big Bore kit is a 20K mile kit! Some may or may not get 10K miles with out issues but I would expect those to be easy low RPM miles if they do. They are good for show cars, a stop gap while you save up money for another kit, or cars that don't get driven. At least that was my experience with them. If anyone is interested I Got a low mileage set cheap!

Glen
64Cx2

[David Jones]

My first set had about 10K on them when I sold the car. A 64 356C Vin #216379 with original engine #711420. The new owner down near Charlotte NC used to run it on the blue ridge parkway every weekend he could and he said he had 32K miles on it when the odometer broke but he did not care as he just filled the tank when it read low or he hit reserve.
My present 64C has 25K on the engine with the AA 86mm and the weekend before last it was warm enough to take it out and run it to my self imposed rev limit of 5500 rpm. If it goes bang I have another engine ready to go in with another set of AA big bore P&C's.
My 59 A coupe has a set as well but less than 1K miles on that engine and as it is a normal engine with normal 32 NDIX carbs it does not get pushed very hard. Maybe 5K rpm on occasion.

[Bruce Smith]

Yes, bought a motor with over 30K miles on AA p/cs and it's still going strong.

[Doug McDonnell]

Here is a quote from another discussion of Big Bore kits Re: Big Bore Kit Recommendations?
Report this post Quote
#2 Post by Vic Skirmants » Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:47 am

All the low dollar kits are configured for the later cylinder heads with 30 degree combustion chamber angle. Your cylinder heads would have to be machined for clearance. But that is still the least expensive method. The 86mm bore P&C kits from AA Cylinders are good. I only have experience with those; that's what I have in our street 65 coupe.
If buying cylinders from anyone else, have them measured to be sure all the dimensions are within .001".

[Bruce Smith]

Vic's post is from 2010. AA now sells 22°86mm kits in addition to 30°. Jobber price is <$400 for cast iron.

[Martin Benade]

I suppose we do not know if the current quality is the same or not.

[Dan Epperly]

Prices have gone up, mid $500s most places but I'm going to assume it's the tariffs.

[Bruce Smith]

Direct with AA can get you jobber prices.

[Ben Wainscott]

Had a set Installed in 2006, and have 32K miles on them. So far no issues.

[Jim Clement]

Despite all of the above
My original engine rebuilder / parts seller recommended these, and were installed . The rings simply did not set in during the break in period. After about 10 hours on the test stand, then another 10 hours of driving at varied speeds.. with lots of stories from said builder.. The oil was constantly degraded, and durty caused by the leakage, lots of blow by out the back.. they never did work. very disappointed.

On the upside when I had the engine re - rebuilt, this time by Jack Morris - he installed the "Durabar" type of cylinders .. they set in correctly, did well on start up, he put the first 200 miles on it, changed the oil, then I drove it hard for the next 500 miles, perfect.. oil looks great !!
so, not sure if it was the product, or the builder.. or just the rings ..
if anyone is looking for a set.. just let me know..

[Jacques Lefriant]

Hi Dan
good question but the answers you are getting have no statistical significance. I would suppose that the AA product are by far the most used sets by a factor of at least 10-1. if you a DIY they are probably the most cost effective given your hourly rate is insignificant. If you are paying market hourly rates at a high overhead shop then the AA sets would not be my first choice.
j

[Bob Morris]

I purchased a 1720 set in 97 and had Ed Mayo rebuild my engine in 98 and now have almost 60K with no problems and still seems to have plenty of power.