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Second compression ring gap

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Old Oct 3, 2004 | 11:25 AM
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Default Second compression ring gap

Copied from: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=917404
Hoping for a quicker response from the C3 section.


Building a 383 with Probe forged pistons and Speed Pro Moly rings.

The recommended gaps are:
.016-.018 Top ring
.020-.022 Second ring
They don't specify the gap for the oil ring

Out of the box (no filing at all) measured gaps are:
.018 for all of the top rings
Second rings are all over the place
2@ .020
1@ .021
2@ .023
1@ .024
1@ .026
1@ .028
Oil rings are all .028

These are non-file fit rings, but I was told to expect that they would still require a little filing for proper gapping.

I understand that it is good to have a larger gap in the second ring than it the top ring, but isn't .010 difference between the two a little too much??

What kind of problems could I expect if I were to install these rings as-is with the large difference in the gaps of the second rings?

What should the proper gap be on the oil rings?

Thanks in advance.
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Old Oct 3, 2004 | 10:14 PM
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You might try tight rings in loose holes. Maybe you can even out the differences a bit.

-Mark.
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Old Oct 3, 2004 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by stingr69
You might try tight rings in loose holes. Maybe you can even out the differences a bit.

-Mark.
Mark,

Believe me I tried every different ring/cylinder combination possible.
The ring gaps stayed virtually the same no matter what hole I put them in.
I am going to see if the machine shop will swap them for a set of file-fit rings instead.
Thanks
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Old Oct 3, 2004 | 11:42 PM
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You don't have to sweat the oil rings.
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Old Oct 3, 2004 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by The Dude
You don't have to sweat the oil rings.
Yeah, that's the conclusion that I came to as well. I am hoping that I can keep the oil rings and the top rings and just have them swap out the second rings for either file-fits or the correct size non file fits.

This is rather annoying, I was hoping to have most the short block assembly done this weekend, but with this little problem all I was able to do was install the crank. Oh well, it will all be worth it when I am done.
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