I often feel that people will gap the top oil ring rail improperly. The top oil ring rail needs to have a gap that is the same as the 2nd (scraper) ring above it, at operating temp. Gapping it the same is a safe adjustment.…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
After file fitting piston rings to get the perfect end gaps, we need to remove all burrs left from the filing process. Despite all our best efforts, sometimes we install a ring on the piston and still notice a little drag when testing for rotation.…
Dave Matton D and D Auto Machine Bloomington, MN
I needed a narrow grooving tool to quickly clean carbon from piston ring grooves, for an engine restoration project. All the usual grooving tools were too wide, however a carbide tipped circular saw blade was a perfect fit. Using an angle grinder, I quickly made a grooving…
Tom Nichols Automotive Machine & Supply Joshua, TX
If you have a piston with a dome volume, you're unsure of, here's an easy way to check. Wrap a single layer of thick packing tape around the head land, taller than the dome. It will maintain the full round shape if you're careful. Fill…
Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
It's tough to end gap rings in a canted deck engine such as a 409 Chevy. Turn a scrap piece of cylinder sleeve to about .003’ smaller than the bore. Make sure it’s long enough. Use that and it will allow you to push the…
Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN
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
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
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
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