I need to hand file piston ring end gaps...

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: I need to hand file piston ring end gaps...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marshall V. Daut on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:04 pm:

'Sorry, this question is for a Model A engine, but is also applicable to Model T's. We cannot find 0.120" over-sized rings to fit the older aluminum pistons in my friend's engine. He was too cheap to bore up to 0.125" and simply buy that size ring set. So, guess who gets to solve this problem!!! Rich at Antique Engine Rebuilding in Skokie, Illinois, recommends simply hand-filing 0.125" over-sized rings to attain the proper end gap using a vertically-oriented file locked in a vise. It must be a small file, such as an ignition points file. That may be too small, though. Is there a special file I should look for to accomplish this time-consuming task? An ordinary hardware store metal file? Coarse or fine grit?
Thanks in advance.
Marshall


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:31 pm:

You can do it with an ordinary hardware store metal file. The rings I've filed were cast iron and was rather soft to file - be careful and measure often. Not very time consuming since you won't need to file all that much - the .125 oversize rings are just .005x3.14= 0.0157" oversized compared to what your friend needs.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:33 pm:

Just be carefull not to break the rings,they cant spread out but so far.But I do believe you can use something a bit bigger than a point file as that would take forever!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 05:37 pm:

Would grinding be better?? Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Putnam, Bluffton, Ohio on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 06:01 pm:

Clamp a file in a vise, on edge, horizontal. Hold the ring by it end gap, stradle the file, and pull the ring to file the ends. You will be filing both ends at the same time. Push on the ends toward the file as you pull. It only takes a few strokes. Insert the ring in the cylinder bore to check the ring gap.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 06:03 pm:


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