Ring Gap Question

[okietheranger]

so I got my motor rebuilt 89 5.0 HO and I am assembling it, Im checking the ring gap and it looks like I need to take off a couple thousands. My question is I konw there is piston ring gap tool for it but has anyone just used a plan old basterd file with successful results? Also the motor has been board and honed, .30 over. The pistons are sealed power hypereutectic pistons with sealded power rings. I had the shop that did the engine work order all the parts for it, and he told me the spec on the ring gap was .026 or over will be fine. And to only do the top ring only. Im taking his word on it sense im sure he knows what he is doing im just wondering if anyone that had this set up has done the same thing. thanks!

 

[baddad457]

Check with Sealed Power for what the minimum gap is. The gap is there to allow for expansion of the ring when the engine warms up. Too little and the ends will butt together placing the rings in stress. The gap spec should have been included in the box the rings came in.

 

[okietheranger]

I know what the ring gap is for lol thank u sir. I was just wondering why would you only have to do the top ring only and if anyone knew if that was the correct gap. I couldn't find anything on the Internet about it. He said I had to check them cause they were hyperputectic pistons I didn't understand the brand of the piston had to do with the ring gap :-/

 

[bearsrngr]

Hypereutectic pistons run the top ring closer to the top of the piston, thus more heat to the top ring. The top ring needs about .010 more end gap than normal, run the tops @ .026 and the second @.015.