hardcore ? about pistons
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
hardcore ? about pistons
Does anyone here know anything about single ring pistons ??? I bought an engine yesterday (Buick V-6 Stage II) for my Indy Lights car. Brought it home , tore it apart and was shocked to find it only had one compression ring and a oil control ring ! I was told it was a drag motor and didn't think too much about it .A race motor is a race motor right ? The pistons are like new, the cylinders are real nice and these engine are VERY hard to come by. My question is , do you think it will live in a road race car ?? I have been building engines for 30 yrs and never encountered this. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Gregg (Pops)
Thanks, Gregg (Pops)
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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This was a common deal at one time..don't seem to see it as much anymore.
The second "compression" ring is actually more of an oil control ring in practice. The trick will be to keep too much oil off of it all.
Does it have gas ports...vertical or lateral?
I would expect it would benefit from a belt driven vaccum pump system.
Under power they seem to do well in drag racing, not sure how it will do under decelleration...that will be the issue. May need to look at changing pistons.
JIM
The second "compression" ring is actually more of an oil control ring in practice. The trick will be to keep too much oil off of it all.
Does it have gas ports...vertical or lateral?
I would expect it would benefit from a belt driven vaccum pump system.
Under power they seem to do well in drag racing, not sure how it will do under decelleration...that will be the issue. May need to look at changing pistons.
JIM
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 1,235
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
There are no gas ports, that would have been a dead give away and I would have passed on it. I am considering a total seal (gapless) ring. But am also worried cause I always thought the rings helped stabilize the piston in the bore. Is this right or wrong?
Gregg
Gregg
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,013
Likes: 2,253
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 would call a couple of ring Co's and see what they have. There has been tremendous strides made in race rings the last few years. Checked with Sealed Power/Speed Pro and the zero gap guys.
The single ring pistons usually were on long rod deals and the pistons were very short and light to start with. That was one of the big points. The skirtsa were designed to try and keep them straight. I don't think ring pack will make too much difference on that.
Today you see thinner and thinner rings and now they are back cut to relieve radial tension while still using three rings.
Again I'd call the major players and talk to them. Keep calling until you get a serious tech guy. Call whoever made pistons too.
Post here what they say..it will be good reading.
JIM
The single ring pistons usually were on long rod deals and the pistons were very short and light to start with. That was one of the big points. The skirtsa were designed to try and keep them straight. I don't think ring pack will make too much difference on that.
Today you see thinner and thinner rings and now they are back cut to relieve radial tension while still using three rings.
Again I'd call the major players and talk to them. Keep calling until you get a serious tech guy. Call whoever made pistons too.
Post here what they say..it will be good reading.
JIM
