1999HuggerZ28

iTrader: (1)

Hi Guys,

Getting started on my rebuild and I have some concerns on ring gaps. I have speed pro forged pistons stock bore 3.898. Instructions with the Mahle rings are calling for top gap at .004 x 1" bore. All my measurements are between .020 & .021 ? This was a turbo motor but I'm building for NA now. Per instructions my gap is out of spec. Should I order some file to fit or oversized rings or is this a reasonable tolerance?

Thanks for any advice!

v8pwr

iTrader: (19)

The ring gaps are fine. If you didn't do them with a torque plate installed the gaps will grow a little. Ring gaps can be oversized without having negative impact. You just don't want them to be undersized.

1999HuggerZ28

iTrader: (1)

Thanks.. Should I stiil increase the 2nd ring gap over the first to help control fluttering? Or is ok to have both ring gaps the same? Is see most threads say to gap 2nd ring larger

KCS

iTrader: (20)

Yes, open up the second ring gap at least .005" larger. You don't want whatever blowby that gets past the top ring to get trapped by the smaller gap of the second ring. That's the theory anyway.