ok, installing the pistons/rods back into the motor and noticed that there was a dimple on the top of the piston, does this dimple go to the front or back of the bore? someone told me it was the front so that's how i installed the first and only one i've gotten in so far. someone let me in on the secret here.

 

it's towards the front so.. yes...

 

and you numbered the pistions right? what about the rings? please tell me ya got new ones.

 

nope, didn't get new ones. but i am, i'm gonna have them filed for nitrous use. the old ones looked fine, but there was a bit of carbon build up around the middle rings and right above the oil ring. how much are new rings?

 

Dimple goes towards the front. If you didn't number the pistons then you better buy new rings and get the cylinders cross hatched other wise you will probably have issues with it blowing smoke and poor performance. Since you have it apart, spend a couple bucks and do it right. Replace the bearings as well.

 

lol that sucks man i feal for ya...i hate it when i do things like that...which seems to be pretty often now that i think of it....

 

i did number the pistons, i'm not completely stupid. but i just think i'll go ahead and get new rings since the old ones just don't APPEAR to have been doing that great...i never ran this motor so i don't know of any issues it had, but new rings will be good for it. what is the normal ring gap for a stock 4" bore piston for nitrous use? i know there is some formula behind it, i just don't know the formula.

 

for nitrous use total seal rings

 

dont use the total seals. they suck with our viton type valve seals for some wierd reason. i dont know why, but it seems like the gapless rings like total seals pull oil down the valve guides and make the oil consumption problem even worse. i dont think your an idiot Matt, i just know how easy it is to cut corners. i learned the hard way for too long just spend the extra money and do it right. trust me, you'll thank yourself later.

there is no real "standard" ring gap. there's a formula up on kieth black's website for it but it is a ratio of cyllinder size to the shot you want to run. i cant remember off hand. mine was .030 over and it ended up being like .032 on the top ring. leave the others alone.

 

i'll just have a motor builder assemble the rotating assembly. i think that is the easiest and safest way for this motor. hey vince, i think a friend of your's is getting my old 5.3 ported heads down there in C.C.

 

 

that's funny that you got those heads from me and i was gonna buy some parts from vince a while back. it's a small world.