My block is going to Tacoma

[John Hofstetter <hofs@domain.elided>]

>As to how they actually arrive at the desired bore size, he said they
>typically start out by boring out from 0.003" to 0.005" undersize.  Then
>they finish hone in steps until reaching the exact desired size.  He says
>they use decreasing grit size on the stones and stop between each one to
>let the block completely cool and normalize in temperature so measurements
>will be accurate.  The final grit brings them carefully into the final
>dimension.  He says they take a lot of time and trouble to do it this way
>as it produces superior accuracy and assures the engine will last much
>longer.
>
>So there you have it from just one shop in particular.
>
>John L.

Wow! I think I'll send my blocks to Tacoma too. If indeed, they follow 
this procedure, that's amazing. I think I'll take Tom H. to the machine 
shop in Jackson where he is going to be next week and let him compare 
their work with John's description. And, this is considered a pretty good 
automotive machine shop. They've done a lot of work for me, and I haven't 
had any complaints, but it isn't close to what John is describing. 

It'll be really interesting, John, if some way you manage to watch them 
do your block and see if the machinist really does that kind of work.
John H.