Honda GCV160 rebuild questions

[tkos115]

I acquired a Honda HRR216VKA push mower that has a bent crankshaft. I got the mower for free from the old owner who hit a rock or something which ultimately bent the crankshaft. It is self propelled and came with a bag as well. It still runs well but shakes quite a bit. I swapped new blades on but no difference and I could see the wobble a bit when spinning the engine. The block and mower assembly look good, and the mower was always well kept.

Anyway, I have a new crankshaft, rod, piston and rings for it. As well as various seals, a new timing belt and cam. I would like to do a rebuild so I can retire my old push mower with a tecumseh lv195ea thats paid its dues and then some. Normally it probably wouldn't be worth rebuilding, but since I got it for free and its in great shape otherwise, I figure its still cheaper than a new one.

When I hone the cylinder bore, is there a certain hone type, or grit that would work best for this? Also does anyone have any suggestions for this rebuild or tips?

Thanks for any help/input

 

[ILENGINE]

Be aware that the GCV style engine don't have a removable head and everything has to come out through the lower crankcase half which may make honing the cylinder challenging at best.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I acquired a Honda HRR216VKA push mower that has a bent crankshaft. I got the mower for free from the old owner who hit a rock or something which ultimately bent the crankshaft. It is self propelled and came with a bag as well. It still runs well but shakes quite a bit. I swapped new blades on but no difference and I could see the wobble a bit when spinning the engine. The block and mower assembly look good, and the mower was always well kept.

Anyway, I have a new crankshaft, rod, piston and rings for it. As well as various seals, a new timing belt and cam. I would like to do a rebuild so I can retire my old push mower with a tecumseh lv195ea thats paid its dues and then some. Normally it probably wouldn't be worth rebuilding, but since I got it for free and its in great shape otherwise, I figure its still cheaper than a new one.

When I hone the cylinder bore, is there a certain hone type, or grit that would work best for this? Also does anyone have any suggestions for this rebuild or tips?

Thanks for any help/input

Very seldom would these engines be rebuilt. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze. Do a light hone to reestablish the crosshatching on cylinder.

 

[Auto Doc's]

I acquired a Honda HRR216VKA push mower that has a bent crankshaft. I got the mower for free from the old owner who hit a rock or something which ultimately bent the crankshaft. It is self propelled and came with a bag as well. It still runs well but shakes quite a bit. I swapped new blades on but no difference and I could see the wobble a bit when spinning the engine. The block and mower assembly look good, and the mower was always well kept.

Anyway, I have a new crankshaft, rod, piston and rings for it. As well as various seals, a new timing belt and cam. I would like to do a rebuild so I can retire my old push mower with a tecumseh lv195ea thats paid its dues and then some. Normally it probably wouldn't be worth rebuilding, but since I got it for free and its in great shape otherwise, I figure its still cheaper than a new one.

When I hone the cylinder bore, is there a certain hone type, or grit that would work best for this? Also does anyone have any suggestions for this rebuild or tips?

Thanks for any help/input

I think these cylinders are Nicklsil coated cylinder, so do not hone. Stagger the rings so the gaps do not line up and use a large hose clamp lightly tightened with a narrow section from a plastic bottle to protect the rings. The piston and rings will slip right in with simple WD-40 spray.

Run plain SAE 30 oil for break-in and then 10W30 after that.

 

[grumpyunk]

Some will disagree, but it may be possible to straighten the crankshaft to within a few thousandths. "Darryl Fixes All" channel on YT has a video where he demonstrates how to straighten a whanged crankshaft.
As far as doing piston & rings, if it was running well, did't burn oil, had good power, it won't run better with new parts. Actually using a ball hone or stones will add wear to the cylinder wall and reduce the effective lifetime. You remove a bit of metal when using the hone, leaving less of the Nikasil coating behind. If you had a GX, it would have an iron cylinder liner from the specs I have seen, but you have a thin coating meant to last for about one set of rings, two if you are lucky(edjumucated guess).
Honestly, I would not fiddle with the piston & rings if it ran well. You can lap the valve seats sort of, but not as readily as engines with detachable cylinder heads. I would try that just to clean the seats, but that's about it. Replacing the cam belt seems to be a good idea to avoid future failure.
With the price of replacement vertical engines as low as it is, spending a pile o' dough on pistons, rings, etc may be investing in something that should be good for a good while, but might not. Getting a bit lazy in my old age... so have fun! tom

ADDED: Just did a quick FB search. New GXV 160 for sale, tag on the gas tank, $150. Worth taking a look. What are the parts & gasket going to cost?