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Ring Gap Question

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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 08:08 PM
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Default Ring Gap Question

I gapped some of my rings last night. They are SRP palsma moly and they called for .0045 per inch (.0195). I got a little too aggressive and one is at .022 and another at .023.

Do I have anything to worry about here?
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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I wouldn't loose any sleep over it, just be more careful next time around.
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 10:08 PM
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Just make sure there staggered......
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 10:29 PM
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How are you doing it ?
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:20 PM
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put the .023 in the tightest bore
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 01:23 AM
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Thanks for assurance. I measured each priston to bore gap and each bore was virtually identical. The exact same amount of drag on the same feeler gauge for each bore. Given this outcome, I assumed the bores must be within .0005 (fresh from the machine shop). I don't think I can pick anything back up by moving the loose couple of rings around. However, do I help myself by putting the tighter second rings with the looser top rings?

Motorhead,

I just used a fine file mounted in the vice. The learning for me was which motion was taking off how much material. It's easy to go too far. I got better on the second side of the block. I hate learning curves.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Ironcross
Just make sure there staggered......
Do you mean the staggering of the ring gaps on one piston? Or do you mean somehow staggering the loose ring across certain bores?
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 07:35 AM
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For years, folks have put the gaps 180* from each other when installed. It's probably not a bad idea for first startup, but they don't stay where you put 'em. Rings spin slowly on the pistons, so they gaps won't stay where they start.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by lr172
Do you mean the staggering of the ring gaps on one piston? Or do you mean somehow staggering the loose ring across certain bores?
Staggering of the gaps on each piston.. I place my gaps at 120 degree interval so all rings are equally staggered. I like to place the 3rd ring (oil control) gap so that it sits at at the top of the bore (i.e. closest to the lifter valley. Its a neurotic thing, doubt it makes any difference at all.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 01:38 PM
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Current thinking is to use a larger gap on the second ring to avoid pressure buildup between the top and 2nd ring.

BTW, I've seen some dynotests where ring gap was tested and the conclusion was that even with a much wider gap than recommended there is virtually no difference in power.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by zwede
Current thinking is to use a larger gap on the second ring to avoid pressure buildup between the top and 2nd ring.

BTW, I've seen some dynotests where ring gap was tested and the conclusion was that even with a much wider gap than recommended there is virtually no difference in power.
That makes me feel a little better that my lack of experience / impatience didn't cause any significant damage. btw, SRP recommended .0045 on the top and .0050 on the bottom
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 03:56 PM
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You're fine.

Place the rings on the piston exactly how the pictures show them in the SRPinstructions and pay attention to which bank you're on.

Rings do move around, but paying attention to the thrust and non thrust side of the block during placenment helps a lot.



JIM
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