Intersting read

Not so much about checking air cooled but can still be used to explain ring sealing,and hey who doesnt like engine related stuff? :woohoo: www.amazon.com/gp/bit/apps/web/SERP/redi...ticle_racing-73.html

www.amazon.com/gp/bit/apps/web/SERP/redi...r-bore-distortion%2F

Harley cylinders will distort pretty bad after the torque plates are removed.

Ive only actually seen torque plates used when honing cylinders on car/truck blocks,but some of the other stuff was interesting and pretty much universal among any engine design

So what's a torque plate, anyhow? :huh:

Google to the rescue ---

... When the head and gasket are torqued to a block, the bores will naturally distort since they are hollow cylinders...A torque plate simulates the cylinder bore’s distortion, thus allowing the machine shop to hone the cylinders with the simulated distortion. Honing with a torque plate generally yields better ring seal, compression, and can reduce oil consumption. Using a torque plate with the same gasket that will be used during final assembly is also a good idea whenever possible. A different brand or head gasket model might distribute the sealing force around the cylinder in different locations and distort the cylinder differently. You also want to use the same studs or bolts that will be used during final assembly since different fasteners will have a different clamping force.

Good Fortune!