H2 cylinders - mix 'n match??

[ballvo]

Just starting in on my engine for my restoration and I've noticed that two of the three cylinders have the square cutouts on the bottom of the liner and the third is the 'correct' tapered cutout. According to the resource site:

"The cylinder with the square cut out is a 1971 cylinder ONLY, it is totally unique and no other cylinder can be cut to match the porting as the liner and casting sit in a totally different position to all others (not quite sure what this means). The 1972 and 1973 also had 2 more porting specs, the 1974 and 1975 are also a different spec, so there are FOUR cylinder port specs.
The pistons for the 1971 & 1972 models have a higher cut out in the skirt. - Rick Brett"

I have a spare engine so I checked those cylinders, hoping I could come up with a matched set. That motor has two tapered and one square. Unfortunately, both lefts are tapered and both rights are square so I don't have a set of three with the same cutouts.

What are the implications of running with 2 of one and 1 of the other?? I know the engine I'm building was a runner (and I presume the spare was too, at some point) so it will obviously work. Just wondering if I should be trying to source a left cylinder with square cutout (or maybe a right that's tapered)? The two square and one tapered are in much better condition. All cylinders are at 2nd over but I'm hoping I can get away with a hone on the good set (crosshatching still visible in the bores).

Any comments? Thx.

N.

Anyone have a left square they'd be willing to trade for a right square??

[mraxl]

The early square cut cylinders demand a higher price in the aftermarket than the later cyls. The later cyls are more reliable in that the change was because the earlier were more prone to break. I'd sell the square cut and replace them with the later style and pocket the difference. As far as mixing the two, I doubt you could tell the difference.

[ballvo]

thanks for the feedback Dale.
N.

[ballvo]

Got this sorted in fairly short order - a friend had a similar mixed up set of cylinders and we just traded a left for a left. I got the high cuts and he ended up with a full set with tapered cutouts.

N.