Topic: OEM piston rings two different colors, why?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I got 4 new sets of Honda OEM piston rings for my '74 550. It's standard bore. One of the rings is regular carbon black, the other is also, but it's light grey around the face of the ring.

They both seem to have the same end gap. I was thinking it might be to keep from mixing them up if they're ever disassembled after use, but that doesn't seem likely. Should I worry about it?

[WHALEMAN]

Do you mean all four sets look different or two from each set are different? The top and middle ring ARE different. The light gray you refer to is chrome on the top ring. make sure you have a manual that shows which ring goes on top and which side is UP. Dan

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I mean that one ring in each set is different. My manual says to make sure the manufacturing mark is facing up, but I didn't see anything saying the two rings are different.

So the chrome faced ring goes on the top most groove of the piston?

[WFO]

I mean that one ring in each set is different. My manual says to make sure the manufacturing mark is facing up, but I didn't see anything saying the two rings are different.

So the chrome faced ring goes on the top most groove of the piston?

Yes it goes on the top.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

If you look at the gray band with a magnifying glass, you will see it's actually a bevel cut into the top outside of the #1 ring.  You will also notice there is a faint "R" stamped into the 2 solid rings.  the "R" faces up with the beveled ring in the highest slot. 

Read your manual carefully as there are other important assembly details in there.  One tip I can give you is when it comes time to lower the bores over the rings, be VERY gentle.  If you force the bores down you can snap a ring.  Work with the center two pistons first.  Place square-ish shims under the piston aprons to hold them firm and steady.  A wobbly  piston makes the job 10x as hard.

[donny]

good timing..I installed rings on the pistons today, but not into the cylinder.....bass-ackwards I guess....I didn't know which ring went on top so I measured the original rings, the top ring was 1/2 a thou thinner which was not the new chrome ones.  Well, I can change them tomorrow.
  the grey rings had no markings on them, so the bevel on the top is the only way to identify up?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

good timing..I installed rings on the pistons today, but not into the cylinder.....bass-ackwards I guess....I didn't know which ring went on top so I measured the original rings, the top ring was 1/2 a thou thinner which was not the new chrome ones.  Well, I can change them tomorrow.
  the grey rings had no markings on them, so the bevel on the top is the only way to identify up?

I checked the OEM and Clymer and there was nothing about different rings. Not with the rings either. I guess you just have to know.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I checked the OEM and Clymer and there was nothing about different rings. Not with the rings either. I guess you just have to know.

I'm surprised these manuals didn't mention it.  My Haynes manual has a lot of shortcomings, but was pretty explicit about installing rings.  Even when it cam to gap position.  Please do a through search of this site for more details on installation incase my Haynes, and by extension, I am wrong on this.

Hopefully some of the more experienced builders will chime in.

[donny]

this throws a wrench into the mix ?
 Quote form Bodi, 05/07/07.......
    {The two similar rings have different profiles. One is basically flat where it will contact the cylinder wall, the other is bevelled slightly. The flat one is the top or compression ring. The bevelled one is the 2nd or scraper ring, the bevel faces so that it scrapes oil downward. The bevel may be hard to see but if you look at the end with a magnifier it should be visible.}
so the flat ring goes on top ?
and the beveled one (chrome) is the second layer?

[754]

Clymer varies from year to year, I have 2 , will try to check, but sure I have seen it in there.

Cut 2 blocks with an open ended slot to hold the pistons up, use 3/4 or 5/8inch thick. Use plywood, alum or plastic then to do the other 2 you either need a thinner set or the first set may work (depending on thickness) It not worth it, without doing that on at least the first 2 pistons.

 I usually use a Popsicle stick, ice cream stick, or Starbux minitonguedpressor, the help guide the rings in.. if my fingers dont work. NOTE, the former was for 1pce oil rings, dont think it will work on 3pce..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

This should help or not. My Honda Service Manual has no info. My Clymers has no info. My Haynes manual for my Acura Legend has no info. My Chilton's manual states "The compression rings are not interchangable. The upper compression ring has beveled edges, while the lower one has a square cross-section".

[donny]

thanks a bunch..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I would assume by installing the top ring with the bevel up it would allow the rings to enter the cylinder easier.

[donny]

damn if there wasn't a stamp on the chrome rings after all..these old eyes couldn't see it, without a magnifying glass... the other rings had a stamp that was easily read.
 I still don't understand why the new chrome rings measured the same as the old second ring, and vice versa.
thanks again all.....

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Jeez, you'd think something like that would be mentioned somewhere. And, if I had to guess, I was going to guess the chrome faced one went in the second groove. So I'm glad I asked!

[WHALEMAN]

Just think about the guys who are reading this and thinking,"OH NO". They either know they put the chrome ring on in the middle spot or never checked and have no idea where the chrome one is. I would have to believe there are a lot of bikes running around with them wrong. Dan

[OldSchool_IsCool]

LOL!!... Just got a wonder... LOL!! Ha ha ha... yea... just gota.... wonder.... silly nubies!! LOL... yea... just... gota... <deep breath>  wonder...