Piston Ring Gap
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Piston Ring Gap
Hi Guys,
I started fiting my rings last night and am not happy with the results. I have a stock bore 454 and measure the top ring gap at .019" to .023". The second ring came in at 0.023" to 0.30".
From what I've read the specs should be .018-.022 top, and .012-.014" second.
I'm contemplating ordering a set of .005" over rings to file fit them.
Given this is intended to be a street motor, the question is it worth the extra time and effort comes to mind.
Any thoughts?
I started fiting my rings last night and am not happy with the results. I have a stock bore 454 and measure the top ring gap at .019" to .023". The second ring came in at 0.023" to 0.30".
From what I've read the specs should be .018-.022 top, and .012-.014" second.
I'm contemplating ordering a set of .005" over rings to file fit them.
Given this is intended to be a street motor, the question is it worth the extra time and effort comes to mind.
Any thoughts?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Thanks for the info George. I have a split camp with my buddies in the shop. Some say go with it, others want new rings. Summit does not list a .005" over ring for the 4.250 bore so I may just stay with what I have.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
That depends how many miles you want to go with the rebuild, you will get 75K but 100K you might see blow by......lot of things can happen within 75K miles....
If you really want to get new rings, contact JE Pistons or have Summit order the rings from JE
If you really want to get new rings, contact JE Pistons or have Summit order the rings from JE
Last edited by GDaina; Jul 9, 2007 at 07:57 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer Michigan
Get another set of rings and take your time.
Try to borrow a tool for cutting them, they must be square.
Adverage time on our nitro car take's me 6 hour's by hand to get them all the same, withen + - .001
I use a fishing hook sharping stone to de-burr them.
Info on ring's,
http://kb-silvolite.com/article.php?action=read&A_id=56
shows how to cut,
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ston_ring.html
Try to borrow a tool for cutting them, they must be square.
Adverage time on our nitro car take's me 6 hour's by hand to get them all the same, withen + - .001
I use a fishing hook sharping stone to de-burr them.
Info on ring's,
http://kb-silvolite.com/article.php?action=read&A_id=56
shows how to cut,
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ston_ring.html
Last edited by 1BAD80; Jul 9, 2007 at 09:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Thanks for the info guys.
I figure I'll probably run this car less then 2000 miles per year. At that rate it will take a long time to get to 75,000 miles so, I decided to stay with the new rings I have and installed them on the pistons last night.
Hopefully tonight I can put the pistons in the holes. I'll post a few shots once the short block is together.
My Hooker side pipe headers showed up last night with a nasty dent in one tube. I couldn't believe how poorly they were packaged. I'll be calling Summit next.
I figure I'll probably run this car less then 2000 miles per year. At that rate it will take a long time to get to 75,000 miles so, I decided to stay with the new rings I have and installed them on the pistons last night.
Hopefully tonight I can put the pistons in the holes. I'll post a few shots once the short block is together.
My Hooker side pipe headers showed up last night with a nasty dent in one tube. I couldn't believe how poorly they were packaged. I'll be calling Summit next.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,010
Likes: 2,248
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I'm assuming this is an old worn cylinder....so pay attention to what gaps will be at lower part of cylinders too.
In a situation like that I usually try various rings in different cylinders to get it as close as I can.
It's not perfect..but it will work. Pay close attention to ring groove clearances and DON"T use any ring groove scrapers on pistons. Be VERY careful and inspect old piston grooves. You do more sealing on the bottom part of ring lands than the cylinder wall.
JIM
In a situation like that I usually try various rings in different cylinders to get it as close as I can.
It's not perfect..but it will work. Pay close attention to ring groove clearances and DON"T use any ring groove scrapers on pistons. Be VERY careful and inspect old piston grooves. You do more sealing on the bottom part of ring lands than the cylinder wall.
JIM
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I'm assuming this is an old worn cylinder....so pay attention to what gaps will be at lower part of cylinders too.
In a situation like that I usually try various rings in different cylinders to get it as close as I can.
It's not perfect..but it will work. Pay close attention to ring groove clearances and DON"T use any ring groove scrapers on pistons. Be VERY careful and inspect old piston grooves. You do more sealing on the bottom part of ring lands than the cylinder wall.
JIM
In a situation like that I usually try various rings in different cylinders to get it as close as I can.
It's not perfect..but it will work. Pay close attention to ring groove clearances and DON"T use any ring groove scrapers on pistons. Be VERY careful and inspect old piston grooves. You do more sealing on the bottom part of ring lands than the cylinder wall.
JIM
I'm dealing with a 40K mile motor. The original bores checked out great with no taper so I had the shop tank the block and machine hone the bores. I'm installing new rods, pistons, rings, bearings, cam etc.
Should be a new motor when complete.