Engine & Transmission Holes — Precision Holemaking Without Guesswork
Hole jobs on engine & transmission parts
- Oil and lubrication passages with depth and chip-exit risk
- Locating pin and dowel holes that protect assembly stack-up
- Bearing and bushing seats where diameter and roundness sell
- Mounting and clearance holes that should not be over-tooled
We use generic feature language—no invented engine models. Housing-specific faces and windows live on Aluminum EV housings. Everyday shaft/flange holes → General Mechanical.
Material fork: aluminum vs cast iron / steel
| Material | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum / non-ferrous | Carbide drill → PCD ream candidate | PCD value prop is strongest here |
| Cast iron / steel | Carbide drill + carbide ream logic | PCD is generally not XRZ’s default for ferrous |
Drill series selection cues
Start at the Solid Carbide Drill Bits hub and read series by material and coolant—not by one “universal” drill.
- Match flute / coolant style to depth ratio and chip packing risk.
- Stainless and hardened paths differ from general steel—use the matching series page.
- Aluminum pre-holes still need controlled diameter so the reamer inherits a fair start.
Through-coolant—when it is worth it
- Deep holes and stubborn chip exit benefit from through-tool coolant.
- Blind oil passages often need a chip plan before you chase diameter with the reamer.
- Details on coolant strategy belong in Knowledge and on the RFQ—not as a universal recipe here.
When to ream
- Ream when diameter, roundness, or finish is what the print sells.
- Clearance holes with generous bands often stay drill-only if position is fixture-controlled.
- Allowance method lives on Knowledge (“calculate reamer size”)—we do not invent a universal table here.
Failure modes that show up on gauge
- Oversize — excess allowance, worn lands, thermal growth
- Taper — poor pre-hole, guidance, or uneven wear
- Chatter — stick-out, holder, or aggressive stock
- Poor prep hole — walk, bell-mouth, packed chips
Tool map + RFQ
| Step | Role | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Drill | Open / controlled pre-hole | Solid Carbide Drill Bits |
| Ream (Al / non-ferrous) | Tolerance & finish | PCD Reamer |
| Ream (ferrous) | Carbide ream path | Reamer tool |
| Combine stations | Only with stable window | Combination drill-reamer |
- Material + hardness / casting notes
- Ø, tolerance, depth, blind/through
- Coolant and machine data
- Volume and current scrap mode
Engine & transmission holes FAQ
PCD on cast iron cylinder work?
Generally not XRZ’s PCD value prop—ask for the carbide path.
Step / multi-diameter holes?
Custom/step or combo—send the print.
How much reamer allowance?
Use the Knowledge method for calculating reamer size; no universal table on this page.
One drill for all metals?
No—series differ by material and coolant.
Same scenario: Aluminum EV housings · Combination tools · PCD aluminum · ← Hub
Send the hole chart—we’ll fork aluminum vs ferrous correctly
Primary entries: solid carbide drills and PCD reamers for non-ferrous precision holes.
NEXT STEP — CORE TOOLS & RFQ
Specify the finished hole / face requirement, then choose the conversion path: