Author Topic: Need new rings if I take the cylinders off?  (Read 545 times)

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Offline Tugboat

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Need new rings if I take the cylinders off?
« on: August 16, 2010, 09:48:29 AM »
Just a general question: if I take the head & cylinders off (in this case to repair a stripped-out stud) can I re-use the old piston rings? Or do I have to hone the cylinders & replace the rings?
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline Gordon

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Re: Need new rings if I take the cylinders off?
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2010, 09:56:50 AM »
Only if they're not within spec. 

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Need new rings if I take the cylinders off?
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2010, 10:47:23 AM »
Lots of people will tell you, "while you are in there replace as much as possible".
I have fallen victim to that in the past.  But, you don't have to replace what is working.

Honing, will actually shorten remaining cylinder life as it removes metal, an increases the gap between piston and cylinder wall.  Further, that process induces another break in cycle, which is rapid wear of new parts until they seat properly, in itself a process that doesn't always go to plan.

If the parts are in good working order now, and you don't damage them during tear down and reassembly, they will work as well as they did before the maintenance was performed.

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Offline Gordon

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Re: Need new rings if I take the cylinders off?
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2010, 10:48:37 AM »
Yeah, what he said...

 ;D ;D