How much material is removed when honing a cylinder ? Can standard pistons be used after honing?
The honing process (when correctly done) removes a minnimal amount of material and produces a cylinder wall that is straight (same diameter at all points from top to bottom). The purpose of the hone is to achieve a particular finish texture to promote piston ring seal, not necessarily to increase the bore size. Reusing the same pistons is not an impossibililty but the practicality of that practice it will depend on the piston-to-wall clearance that exists after the honing process is complete. Refer to the piston manufacturer's recommendations regarding piston-to-wall clearance before deciding.
The honing process is better left to someone with experience, not for the novice. When done properly you get good results, improperly, the rings don't seal, to much material removed, your buying pistons and having the engine bored.
Thanks guys I plan on taking the block to a reputable engine shop and have them look at it.