Author Topic: gaping rings (Read 2227 times)

Scott · « **on:** August 01, 2019, 11:29:54 AM »

Hi there

I've never set the gap on rings before and was wondering if a good quality file is OK to use or if it is better to get one of the tools I see on ebay that looks like a grinding wheel that is turned over by hand crank.

Thanks for your thoughts
Scott

Scott · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2019, 11:51:35 AM »

Sorry, but I think I have a few questions.

These are the pistons and rings I’m using.

Scott · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2019, 11:53:28 AM »

Is this the top ring? It has rounder edges than the other ring.

The gap is currently.007

Scott · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2019, 11:55:40 AM »

This is the ring with square edges.

It’s gap is .016

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2019, 12:02:37 PM »

The tool you refer to can be pretty aggressive before you realize it. If you can get by otherwise you should be fine.

Scott · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2019, 12:04:41 PM »

Oil rings are .017 and the expander oil ring ends are far from touching when I hold it in the cylinder with my fingers spreading it out.

Scott · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2019, 12:17:51 PM »

I have a file that I think will be suitable and I'm quite patient.

The instructions say to use a stone to finish off with, but my stone is quite big and may be hard to use. Can I use wet and dry sand paper? Or maybe one of those Paddle Pop stick things shelias do their nails with?

Thanks again for your time
Scott

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2019, 01:29:48 PM »

Whatever it takes really. Just be sure to lightly file all 4 edges of the side(s) you cut.

Scott · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2019, 01:42:33 PM »

Cool, thanks

PeWe · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2019, 09:38:22 PM »

I used a flat needle file sitting in a vise. Holding the ring with gap squeezed together around file and move ring. Only one direction, from outside to inside.

If you have modern piston with very thin oil rings, the rails need to get the inner end corner rounded to make it easier to compress them.
The sharp corners of the rails can hook into the expander and not compress enough when bore need to go on. The rail can get pinched and you need to order new. If not discover that forcing the bore on you will harm the bore.

jgger · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2019, 10:11:26 PM »

You know to use the piston turned upside down to place the rings square to the bore, right? Just push them as far as the ring grooves are on the piston to measure. If the ring is crooked you won't get an accurate measurement.

PeWe · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2019, 03:31:51 AM »

Quote from: jgger on August 01, 2019, 10:11:26 PM

You know to use the piston turned upside down to place the rings square to the bore, right? Just push them as far as the ring grooves are on the piston to measure. If the ring is crooked you won't get an accurate measurement.

+3. Important to do that.
I usually push rings to different locations of the piston rings working range just for sure to see if gap change . It should not with new bored cylinder.

MRieck · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2019, 05:58:08 AM »

Quote from: jgger on August 01, 2019, 10:11:26 PM

You know to use the piston turned upside down to place the rings square to the bore, right? Just push them as far as the ring grooves are on the piston to measure. If the ring is crooked you won't get an accurate measurement.

Insert 2 wrist pins in the piston to keep the ring square in the bore (pins will hit the deck at the same time keeping it square).

Scott · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2019, 02:33:19 PM »

Quote from: PeWe on August 02, 2019, 03:31:51 AM

Quote from: jgger on August 01, 2019, 10:11:26 PM
You know to use the piston turned upside down to place the rings square to the bore, right? Just push them as far as the ring grooves are on the piston to measure. If the ring is crooked you won't get an accurate measurement.
+3. Important to do that.
I usually push rings to different locations of the piston rings working range just for sure to see if gap change . It should not with new bored cylinder.

Thankyou
I had been pushing the ring with the piston and by chance I used the oil ring landing as a gauge.

These are fresh cylinders prepared by Mike for another customer that I ended up buying them off , so I haven't measured gap at different positions in the cylinders

Scott · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2019, 02:34:47 PM »

Quote from: MRieck on August 02, 2019, 05:58:08 AM

Quote from: jgger on August 01, 2019, 10:11:26 PM
You know to use the piston turned upside down to place the rings square to the bore, right? Just push them as far as the ring grooves are on the piston to measure. If the ring is crooked you won't get an accurate measurement.
Insert 2 wrist pins in the piston to keep the ring square in the bore (pins will hit the deck at the same time keeping it square).

I will use this stopper method from now on. It seems so easy now that you have pointed it out.

Cheers

Scott · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2019, 02:36:05 PM »

Is the ring with the curved edges the top ring?

CBJoe · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2019, 03:27:01 PM »

Quote from: MRieck on August 02, 2019, 05:58:08 AM

Insert 2 wrist pins in the piston to keep the ring square in the bore (pins will hit the deck at the same time keeping it square).

Ooh...thats a good trick. Did this myself recently and that would have been handy.

Don R · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2019, 09:51:35 AM »

Check the instructions there for top and second ring. Is one silver? Often they are packaged in the order they go on but it's also good to check.

Scott · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2019, 01:14:54 AM »

I’ll open the other packs and have a look.

I checked the instructions but I’ll do it again for sure. There’s no silver ring, but maybe a bronze clour

MRieck · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2019, 05:15:45 AM »

Bronze ring is top ring, black ring is second ring. Be sure the markings are facing up when you install them.

Scott · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2019, 11:35:57 PM »

Sweet

Thanks

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Author Topic: gaping rings (Read 2227 times)