piston ring choice

[flapjack]

Ok what rings do you guys prefer to run ? I bought a cheap set of rings to throw in this engine and when I went to install the bottom ring the expander and the upper and lower ring will fit in the groove but will not sit deep enough.the upper and lower rings that sandwich the expander stick out too far.like the groove is too shallow. The #1 and #2 rings are fine .has anyone else had this issue with the bottom ring?just want to make sure I get the right ones this go around. .

[turbovanman²]

There is a shallow groove piston kicking around, I've never seen it but it sounds like you have one. What engine?

I run NPR, Hastings, Sealed Power, any name brand is fine.

[RoadWarrior222]

Make sure you don't get "rebuilder rings" which are cheap plain cast, intended to let engine rebuilders cut costs and offer "rebuilt" motors for only a few hundred bucks, in the face of collapsing demand for rebuilt motors when every OEM since the 80s has been using coated rings which let motors go 200,000 miles and up... so as you can guess, non coated rings are "bad old days" style for longevity, 60K then you need rings again and a rebore.

[flapjack]

Sorry forgot info.Non -common 2.2 in an 87 SC.

[flapjack]

Ok i had a cracked ring land on my #1 piston so i got a piston from a forum member.I just did a comparo and tried to put the lower ring assy. on that one.It was a no go.Didnt fit on that one either.So unless i have double the bad luck i would think that the ring set is the problem.I hope...But i'm still curious what the issue could be.

[turbovanman²]

What rings did you buy? Part number?

Are you sure you're installing them correctly? They are supposed to stick out then get crushed when you put the installer on. Maybe post a pic of what they look like.

[flapjack]

Yeah I installed them correctly.The upper and lower ring can't compress because it is sitting on the small "tangs" on the retention ring so it can't bottom out in the grove.I'll have to look for the box.My garage is a wreck.

[flapjack]

Here is a pic of it installed with the retention ring in it and one ring.It's hard to get a good pic but you can see how the "tangs" extend into the groove and the ring captures it therefore not being able to compress totally into the groove.[IMG][/IMG]

[135sohc]

That looks like the problem right there, some off shore crap or the wrong parts in the box.

[turbovanman²]

That's how its supposed to be, the small oil rings sit on the spacer.

[flapjack]

If you look at the retention ring that came off the pistons there is no little "tangs" on the ring.It's flat on both sides .Oh well.Who the heck knows.Not gonna sweat it.I'll go get me some good name brands and if they come up funky then we i'll start worrying.

[turbovanman²]

If you look at the retention ring that came off the pistons there is no little "tangs" on the ring.It's flat on both sides .Oh well.Who the heck knows.Not gonna sweat it.I'll go get me some good name brands and if they come up funky then we i'll start worrying.

Don't worry about what came off, things/designs change. What you are seeing is perfectly normal. Those tangs hold the small ring up and so it does its job. Its all good. Just check the small ring gap, if in spec,

[flapjack]

Yeah that is true.Guess it's just the wrong crap all together.I'm sure i'll get the right thing with a good name brand ring..Thanks

[turbovanman²]

Yeah that is true.Guess it's just the wrong crap all together.I'm sure i'll get the right thing with a good name brand ring..Thanks

Its not the wrong crap, that's how the rings are today.

[flapjack]

Lol..oh yay..That make me feel so much better.I'm assuming it's worse with the turbo dodge's?I didn't have these issue's with the AMC i did..And they have a pretty crappy after market also.

[83rampage]

Did you clean the ring grooves completely? If they aren't cleaned tight into the corners I could see it not allowing the ring to bottom out in the groove. Long shot but I thought I would mention it.

[flapjack]

Thanks but all is clean.Guess i'll try again.