no torque plate needed for open deck block?

[ps2n54]

having an open deck block honed: reputable engine machine shop in my area insisting a torque plate not needed as water jacket runs entirely around top of cylinders without head bolts being near. machine shop says the bedplate is what creates the warp, and they hone with bedplate on.

it kinda makes sense to me, but iam still a bit on the fence... thought maybe it's because they don't have the necessary torque plate, so i offered them to bore my old head to use as torque plate, but they still stand by their decision.


anyone else with open deck block have machine shop tell them torque plate not needed? or if anyone can explain in technical terms why a torque plate would be needed for an open deck n54 block (not just "its best practice to use it")


(build is for 25-27psi w/ 84mm 9.5:1 pistons)

 

[Jern54]

A torque plate is needed on any block. Once the head bolts/studs are tightened the liners will warp. You can easily verify this by installing the head on without crankshaft. Use a bore gauge from the bottom side and you will be amazed how much it deforms in the top side of the liner.