Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

[Jstep]

I purchased a Sierra trim cylinder rebuild kit to rebuild my leaking cylinders. They are from a pre-alpha Merc 160 from 1969, and have 2 ports with internal lines.

The question is that the replacement inner cylinder that came with the kit appears to have some very, very light surface rust on the outside of the cylinder. Should I be worried about this? What could I use to remove it without taking away metal? Fine steel wool?

If this is a big deal, I'm wondering if I should re-use my old inner cylinders. They appear to be in good shape. I think the main source of my leaking was some of the o-rings and the cylinder bearing, which had some corrosion near the scraper gasket.

Sorry for the crappy cellphone pic. The new inner cylinder is in the foreground and the old inner cylinder is in the background.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

Ayuh,... Rub it with a Scotch-Brite pad,... It'll be just Fine,... That's a Non-working surface....

 

[Jstep]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

Thanks, Bond-o! I love this site!

 

[Jstep]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

One more question on the rebuild. I was planning on re-painting the cylinder housing, but when I looked at it more closely today, I noticed that there are a lot of deep pits or nicks in the housing. None of them go all the way through, but if I look down the inside of the housing, I can see that it's dented in slightly in these spots.

Is this housing still OK to use in this condition, or do I need to buy new housings now?

 

[jtybt]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

Are you talking about the 'ram' in referring to the inner cylinder? Otherwise I don't recognize your trim cylinder. Some of the early trim cylinders . the end caps and cylinders, were replaceable. The cylinder needs to be perfectly round inside or the O rings won't seal.

 

[Jstep]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

In post #4, I am talking about the outer housing for the entire unit. This is the part that is pained black. I was going to repaint it, because a lot of the paint is worn off, but it's pitted pretty bad in spots. New housings are at least $75, so I want to know if I can re-use the ones I have or if I have to buy new ones.

 

[gadget73]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

The inside of the bore should be nice and round, otherwise it won't seal properly. Also, if the pits are very deep, it might mean the cylinder is weak in some spots, and it could blow out on you. I'd probably consider new housings.

 

[Jstep]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

OK, so on second inspection, there are no deformities if I look down the inside of the housing with a bore light. The pitting on the outside is definitely bad, though. All of the silver spots in the pics are pits/gouges in the housing. Can I just paint these and be OK, or do I need to buy new ones?

 

[Jstep]

Re: Trim cylinder rebuild kit question

OK, I broke down and ordered new housings this morning. I figured after going through the effort to rebuild the cylinders I would be really upset if the outer housing became breached from one of those pits.