Hi, Gang!

I'm in a rush, took a quick look for related questions, and am posting a short query due to running late. ; ]

To be uncharacteristically brief, I want and need to keep my '95 Civic LX running. Head gasket time, after someone did an aftermarket replacement seven years ago. I've just tried a polymer sealant and got close, but I've taken a lot of time with it and still have issues. The Northeast cold swayed me in that direction, without a good place to do the mechanical replacement over the winter months. Now I'm looking to do the head gasket, valve stem seals and rings. The rings were a thought many miles ago, given oil consumption. Compression is okay but not stellar. I haven't done a dry-and-wet test in quite a while. My question is whether, at 310,000 miles, a stock re-ring without any re-bore or measuring would work, or if I'd be in trouble. I don't want to waste the time with new standard rings that don't improve the matter, and I don't want to use oversized OEM rings that cause any problems, including total failure. My thought is that standard OEM will be issue-free, but I may not see an improvement. I need to make this project as swift as possible, but I know that half-assing things can come with a price you're not prepared to pay.

Any thoughts on even bothering to re-ring this little workhorse at 310,000 miles, or should I leave the rings alone? Thanks for your time and thoughts!

Sincerely,
Me

 

you are investing your time into the hg replacement. not much more is needed to do rings. if you do not want to clean up the bore, and measure, then i advise you to not do it at all.

drive it, add oil, repeat.

 

Thanks for your response! I would expect to hone the cylinders, of course, but I've seen videos of guys -- maybe with less mileage -- just hone, change rings and reassemble after a good cleaning. My thought was that new standard rings would be better than old rings, all else within the cylinders remaining the same. I'm sure it's obvious that I've never done this job. I may pass on the rings after I assess another compression test. I need to investigate a bit more with regard to the extent of a full ring job. I'm not in a position to pull the engine to have a shop machine and re-sleeve the block. I need to get The NinjaCivic rolling again post haste. I don't know what kind of wear the pistons and cylinders have or if new rings and valve seals would correct the oil consumption. That's why I was looking to see if just putting new standard rings in a trusty daily ride made anybody here shake their head. I've heard horror stories about incorrect rings and major damage. This started with the head gasket as a necessity, and the rings and seals as intentions that have been on my mind for quite awhile. Time will tell. Ha! Thanks again for your input!