When using pistons that require oil ring support rails, we use a .008” feeler gauge between the piston and the rail as we slide the rail into place. This way it does not scratch the piston or catch as its going into place. Adam Cofer Salina Engine…
Adam Cofer Salina Engine Salina, KS
When you are not sure which way the 2nd rings go in or cannot figure out the markings, remember, they are oil scrapers and have a tapered face. I hold one down to see which way it leans vs. a square. The side that leans towards…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Shop Menahga, MN
With more engine builds moving away from flat tappet cams to avoid the “oil & zinc” issue, another engine component frequently gets overlooked, the piston ring. While we all know flat tappet cams need to be broken in, piston rings and cylinder…
Engine Pro Technical Committee, with special thanks to Lake Speed, Jr. Total Seal Piston Rings
When I really need to save a piston that does not have a good way to press it off without wrecking the sides, I mill a slot along the exposed lower side of the pin bore and it will release the pin fit. Then you can…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
A simple way to chuck pistons into the lathe is to make a draw rod assembly that goes through the head stock of the lathe. I made a bushing to locate it and give the draw nut a place to seat. Sometimes you may have to make a…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
When gapping piston rings, an easy and often used way to square them in the bore is to invert a flattop piston and use it to push the rings down to the desired depth. Another good way on large bore engines is to use a tapered ring compressor…
Rich Jones Redline Automotive Competition Engines Davie, FL
I found it easy to polish piston pins in the rod hone. I use a small mandrel to hold them. Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN October, 2019
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN
When I opened my shop, I used to struggle with holding pistons between my knees while installing rings. One day I noticed that on the common shop cart, most piston and rod assemblies would fit perfectly between the handle and the cart. It holds the piston stable…
Josh Townsend Texoma Machine and Performance, LLC Kingston, OK
When file fitting rings I also like to add a radius to the backside of the oil ring support rails, at the gap. I rough in the radius on the belt sander and then finish it on the debur wheel on my ring grinder. Without adding this…
Nick Jones Automotive Machine Fraser, MI
I took these broken off valve stems and ground the tips to a point to mark valve centerlines on pistons for flycutting valve reliefs. Just install the head on the block and insert the stem in the guide point down and with the piston at TDC,…
Rich Jones Redline Automotive Competition Engines Davie, FL