Honing 2.5l Liners (looking for a torque plate)

[Jason Ball <madmac@domain.elided>]

My Alfa and I have run into yet another roadblock on our great journey out of
the garage.  After a series of "experience inducing" mishaps, we find
ourselves with our motor on the bench, completely disassembled.  The pistons
and 5 liners are in excellent shape. (crosshatchings visible all the way
around.) and I have procured a good 6th liner (to replace the mishapped one)
and a set of Hastings rings.

Our goal has been to reuse the pistons and have the liners honed in order to
save the $600+ dollars for replacements (ouch!).  The machinists I have spoken
to are not set up for honing the liners OUT of THE BLOCK...AND... there is
some question if the liners would stay in place in the block during the honing
process without being locked down with a torque plate.  My machinist thinks
holding them in place with washers would distort the liners and result in an
inaccurate hone... I really can't see it being a problem, but I'm no machinist.

I am I out of my mind for trying this?  Has anyone been down this twisted road before?

If anyone out there has experience with having their V6 liners honed I would
REALLY appreciate some advice.  AND I really could use some leads on a torque
plate for an 2.5l V6.

Thanks!

Jason Ball
Austin Texas
87 Milano <on a spiritual journey of sorts>
85 Subaru 4wd <needs a vacation>

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