Topic: Do I Need To Oil Piston Rings On Installation?

[liPPy]

I have just installed the pistons (into the cylinder) using lightly oiled hose clamps. I wiped the lower part of the barrels with clean oil first but I didn't oil up the rings or piston skirts. Was I supposed to?

Are the rings oiled just for ease of installation or does it provide functional benefit on first start? Will there be any harm if I just continue as is??

The head isn't on yet so it's an easy fix if required!

Thanks all!

[Rigid]

Yes, it is standard practice to prelube all engine internal components when reassembling.  It will help with potential damage in the first moments of starting or preoiling with the starter.  I use clean engine oil on most parts but have used lubriplate engine assembly lube on cam lobes and rockers. 

[liPPy]

Okay - I suspected as much. Time to whip off the cylinder again!

[jessezm]

Personally I think if you oiled the cylinders and hose clamps lightly you are probably fine.  You actually don't want to oil things too much, I don't think.  I'm no expert, but I have read (take this with a grain of salt until real experts chime in) that over oiling the cylinders and pistons on installation can prevent the rings from bedding in properly by glazing the cylinder walls.  I think the rings need something to grab, which is why you hone the cylinders instead of having them polished smooth.

If you installed your pistons successfully without breaking any rings, I don't think I'd risk doing it again, I'd just leave well enough alone.

[Rigid]

No need to disassemble, wipe some oil on the cylinder barrels and let a bit run down on top of the pistons.  The end gaps and piston side clearance will allow it to pass from ring to ring in a short time and excess will drain out the bottom into the crankcase. You can do this all the way up to just prior to engine start by squirting oil into the sparkplug holes and rotating the engine with the starter, or by hand. 

[liPPy]

No need to disassemble, wipe some oil on the cylinder barrels and let a bit run down on top of the pistons.  The end gaps and piston side clearance will allow it to pass from ring to ring in a short time and excess will drain out the bottom into the crankcase. You can do this all the way up to just prior to engine start by squirting oil into the sparkplug holes and rotating the engine with the starter, or by hand. 

Makes sense. Saves me having to faff about with the piston rings again...

Thank you!

[tlbranth]

No need to disassemble, wipe some oil on the cylinder barrels and let a bit run down on top of the pistons.  The end gaps and piston side clearance will allow it to pass from ring to ring in a short time and excess will drain out the bottom into the crankcase. You can do this all the way up to just prior to engine start by squirting oil into the sparkplug holes and rotating the engine with the starter, or by hand. 

Rigid has it.

[CycleRanger]

Yes, it is standard practice to prelube all engine internal components when reassembling.  It will help with potential damage in the first moments of starting or preoiling with the starter.  I use clean engine oil on most parts but have used lubriplate engine assembly lube on cam lobes and rockers.

Ditto to the lubriplate. I use 90w gear oil elsewhere. It clings better than 30w.

[Flying J]

How did you get your gasket surface so clean? Thats where im at on my build.

[liPPy]

I had the head and cylinders soda blasted before I paintedted them. They came out like new!

How did you get your gasket surface so clean? Thats where im at on my build.

[Danno]

the honing of the bore is actually to catch some of the oil so the rings dont heat up and weld themselves to the bore and it is the lack of oil that causes cylinder bore glazing which can also be caused by overheating making things so tight that the oil gets scraped away before it can do its job which also results in glazing (so the lack of oil causes glazing)

[jessezm]

the honing of the bore is actually to catch some of the oil so the rings dont heat up and weld themselves to the bore and it is the lack of oil that causes cylinder bore glazing which can also be caused by overheating making things so tight that the oil gets scraped away before it can do its job which also results in glazing (so the lack of oil causes glazing)

Thanks for the clarification.  See, that's why I said listen to the experts!

[lucky]

You DO NOT have to take it apart. IT is not a good idea.  just put about a half teaspoon of engine oil around the top of the piston. It will drain around the rings and piston ring lands.

No need to take it apart. You could end up breaking a ring just taking it apart and putting it back together. Just leave it alone.