My new piston rings fit very tightly when placed in cylinder walls. What is the best way to remove ring material? What is proper ring gap on new rings on old pistons?
Flat file the ends. A little bit can go a long ways. Top ring .015", 2nd ring .012" and 3rd ring @ .010".
Put a flat file in your bench vise.
File the ring end by moving the ring back and forth, or up and down, keeping the ring flat, or level.
Check ring gap in the center of the bore. Push the ring into the bore with a piston to keep the ring square with the bore.
do NOT install pistons with ring gaps directly above the piston pin.
NOTE BE CAREFUL and file slowly as Michael say a little bit goes a long was. Once it is gone its gone.
bill d
California
Daniel, you haven't said what pistons you are using, original cast iron ones can start with a little less ring gap.
If'n you file a little bit too much off the end of a ring, don't worry about it. A little extra ring gap won't hurt.
Notice I said a little, if'n you take way too much off you're probably better off to replace the ring.
Also, when you install the rings, make sure that the gaps are staggered.
Stagger the ends of the rings. Put 90 degrees from the wrist pin end and next ring 180 degrees from the first one than next one 180 degrees from the second one. That way any oil or compression or combustion leak must go around the ring to escape. Which will lower your oil consumption, raise the compression and lower blow by.
Norm