For the more experienced engine-builders, how often do you have to file down piston rings because the ring end gap is too small? i'm mainly concerned with a stock bore application. if you have had varying experiences that were mainly brand-dependent, please point this out. i'm just planning ahead to see if i should pick up a ring-filer, or if i can avoid it buy investing in better-manufactured rings. thank you

-Alan

 

I think no matter what rings you use, they all need filing. I'm not positive on this one, but I think they do it so you can decide what gap you want, as opposed to a pre set limit by the ring manufacturer.

 

I would like to know this too...

 

I didn't have to file the rings that came with my endyn pistons (stock bore). They were all within spec or a tad bigger than the endyn recommended gaps but all within honda spec.

 

what Brand of rings are you using.......

 

You always need to check ring gap and file if necessary

 

^^ i fully intend to check the end gap for every single ring, but i'm more curious as to if certain brands are usually more within spec than others.

John, is your car finished yet? i haven't really been keeping up to date with the honda community since i got a subaru and i'm just trying to make my way back and build one more honda for fun.

 

You will always want to check it, but you can use a normal file to file it down just a tad.

Make sure that you file it STRAIGHT and clean/debur the sharp edges so that the sharp edges don't get stuck in the ringlands as it expands.

Hope this helps.

Stan

 

^^thanks, that helps some. should i try to evenly file the same amount from both opposite sides? i remember it saying somewhere that the ring filer files from both sides so i thought it might be important. thanks

-Alan

 

that's a good question??

so what gap will you be setting it to??? 0.015ish

 

yea, i wanna be accurate but not too **** about it, so if it falls within spec i'll leave it.