Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

I need some help on piston ring gaping. I am having an LS1 motor put back together, and the engine builder said the piston ring gap is outside of maximum tolerances. The top compression ring is .53mm (GM maximum says .44mm) and the bottom compression ring is .81mm (GM maximum says .81). This is a 30,000 mile motor that was running decently except for a blown head gasket before it was removed. I know the obvious explanation is wear on the motor, but is it worth putting these rings back in, or is this why LS1 motors are notorious for burning oil? He tried two of the rings on two of the cylinders and both of them read the same.
I am looking for a way to avoid the $250 that GM wants to charge for rings.
Thanks

slowec

iTrader: (9)

What is the piston to bore clearance? That would worry me more than 9 hundredths of a millimeter on ring gaps.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Ahh, sorry. Maybe I worded this improperly. The gaps measured were the gaps at the two ends of the ring. Will I lose much compression, or will the engine fail prematurely with that much gap?
Thanks