Well, I am in the middle of my motor rebuild and I have always used cast pistons(factory) and have never checked ring end gap( I know, I know I shouldve). I am about to check ring end gap on my JE's, but I am a little confused on how to do it, and if needed, how to file.

Via HELMS manual, I guess I should just take the top ring, put in in the cylinder, get a piston, push the ring down to about an inch from the bottom, and then measure the gap. Now, if the gap is too big, what the hell do I do? If its too small, I guess I'm left with filing, which Im a little confused on as well. Are the rings usually close to what they should be? Thanks for the help guys...

 

The gap should never be too big. If it is, you may have rings for a stock bore piston. If you need to file, get a filing tool like this one:



It's $33 from Summit and will do a perfect job. Part number is: SUM-906795

Sonny

 

So what if I dont have time to get tthe tool?

 

I have that tool also...worked wonders for me...

they sell something similar for filing tile pieces at local hardware stores(I don't know if you have a Northern tool, but that's where I saw it).

You measure your end gap and file to specs on teh JE sheet that came with your pistons. Remember, you will have to convert your bore size to inches first

Oh yea, Don't forget to deburr the ends of teh rings.


[Modified by paul_vang, 1:05 PM 11/14/2002]

 

Make time. Don't screw up the ring install. You'll pay dearly for it later.

Sonny

 

The ring filer won't chip the rings like alot of other methods can and it sands both sides of the rings evenly to the same fit (so you have exactly the same angle on both sides, so the gap isn't like /\ )

When you push the rings down into the cylinders don't use the pistons, use a caliper and set the depth where you need it and press the ring down to exactly the same depth on 4 equal points.

If you can't get the tool, borrow it from someone

 

I used a regular file to do someone's car before...put the file on a vice and move the ring ends up and downs on the file....

just make sure you angle the rings end evenly with other sides when filing it down...

the top or bottom ring( don;t remember) is very soft, be careful not to over do it..
and also deburr the edge of the ring, the ring should not get stuck within the ring grooves...

I used the top of the pistons tp push the rings down the cylinder, push it down about 3-4 inches and make sure when you push the piston down, it's even and flat with the top of the cylinder walls.

good luck

 

I used a dremel with the ceramic disc. Just set up jig to keep everything straight. Also use the slow speed.